Save their childhoods

CHILDREN are being poisoned by electronic entertainment, marketing, over-competitive schooling and junk food, according to a lobby group.

In a letter, 110 teachers, child psychologists, children's authors and other experts have called on the Government to act now to preserve childhoods.

The group, which includes Philip Pullman, the children's author, Jacqueline Wilson, the children's laureate, her predecessor Michael Morpurgo, Baroness Greenfield, the director of the Royal Institution and Dr Penelope Leach, the child care expert, say politicians and the public are failing to understand how children develop.

They said: "We are deeply concerned at the escalating incidence of childhood depression and children's behavioural and developmental conditions.

"Since children's brains are still developing, they cannot adjust to the effects of ever more rapid technological and cultural change.

"They still need what developing human beings have always needed, including real food, as opposed to processed "junk," real play, as opposed to sedentary, screen-based entertainment, first-hand experience of the world they live in and regular interaction with the real life significant adults in their lives.

"They also need time. In a fast-moving, hyper-competitive culture, today's children are expected to cope with an ever-earlier start to formal schoolwork and an overly academic test-driven primary curriculum.

"They are pushed by market forces to act and dress like mini adults and exposed via the electronic media to material which would have been considered unsuitable for children even in the very recent past."

Andrea and David Parkinson, who have been teachers for 12 and four years respectively and run the Kip McGrath tutoring centre, share the group's fears.

"I was shocked on my first day at school," said Mr Parkinson.

"I walked up to two girls who were in the playground and I asked them if they had Sindy dolls at home to play with.

"They looked up at me and said no, we're too old to play with dolls' and they were just seven years old.

"I couldn't believe that these young children thought they were too old to play. I think there is so much pressure put on children now.

"I think girls especially are encouraged to dress a lot older than they are, sometimes by their mums, which is a shame."

Mrs Parkinson added: "The problem in schools is that there is so much pressure put on children now to pass exams and get good results.

"There is no time to go through things with pupils, they are just expected to understand topics covered first time around and then move on to the next thing.

"Often, because it's not the cool thing to do, particularly in secondary schools, children will not ask for help.

"They will then become very anxious, stressed and depressed."

South Swindon MP, Anne Snelgrove said: "I don't think this is just about Government action.

"Parents need to use the time they have to have a good relationship with their children.

"I agree children's lives can be less adventurous than in previous generations.

"They need to have a good balance between playing outdoors, and learning about new technology."

Parents should take more control

PARENTS agree that their children are forced to grow up too fast in today's hectic social climate.

Those collecting their children from King William Street Primary School yesterday told the Advertiser that even young children can be hooked in by fashions which are too old for them, television that is not suitable and junk food, which can have a negative effect on their personalities.

But they also believe that parents need to take control and introduce routines in their lives which can limit stress and anxiety.

Angie Batten, a 37-year-old housewife of Ashford Road, has two daughters, aged six and three.

She said: "I would agree they do grow up too early. Parents want to make them into adults with the way they dress.

"At six years old some girls look like adults. I encourage my children to play with things for their own age group, including what they watch on TV. When Narnia came out I didn't feel my daughter should see the film as it had scary material.

"Until you get parents to recognise the issue I don't see what you can get the Government to do. My girls still play with dolls such as Polly Pockets. My eldest daughter reads a lot and gets through 12 books every three weeks."

Elly Fletcher, a lecturer, of Old Town also has two children, aged four and seven She said: "My children play in the garden but not in the streets. I don't know if if growing up too soon is the cause of childhood depression. Haven't children always wanted to grow up?

"When I was younger I did. I aspired to be older.

"Children definitely eat too much junk food because it's available too easily but schools are making them aware of what's healthy.

"Shops want to make money but you can't really blame them. Parents need to take responsibility too."

Louise Pevreal, a writer, of Old Town has two sons, aged nine and six.

She said: "Their computer use is limited and we make sure they have time to play outside.

"However, because of the weather it is very limited here in terms of getting outside but I do think parents should have routines and monitor their child's TV viewing times.

"I often sit down with my children and push morals. They have to learn from a young age. It starts with the family.

"I have no experience of childhood depression but parents have to put their children first."

Cath Dolling, a co-op worker of Well Street, Queens Park, has two daughters, aged eight and 11.

"I think there is more pressure on young girls to grow up, especially from the pre-teen magazines," she said.

"My girls play in the street and they play on their bikes.

"To a degree parents need to take responsibility because they shouldn't buy them things that are too old for them or unhealthy.

"There is too much marketing aimed at young children, they've saturated the teen market and are moving on to a younger group, clothes for young girls are becoming skimpier."

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