Turn off the TV. Forget Facebook. Just give your kids some time

October 20th, 2007

I’ve recently been sent a link to an interesting piece in the Observer, thought it well worth the link, go and have a read, let me know what you think. Personally it rings oh so many bells, and for many may prove to be a mirror on one’s self and parenting…

It seems we don’t know how to listen to our children; we don’t spend enough time with them; we don’t give them security at home, on the way to school or in school; and we don’t allow them freedom to stretch themselves and explore their capabilities. The affirmation that children need is commonly wanting, as is proper rest and nourishment.

There is evidence to suggest that this generation of parents who were brought up on videos and instant visual gratification are not going through cooing routines. There are fewer nursery rhymes, less song, storytelling and reading. All this is taken over by TV, which leaves parents free to think about themselves and to work late. There may be a lot in what the family learning co-ordinator said to me; after all, she teaches parents to relate to their children so that they may in turn teach them. ‘If an infant is used to not speaking, he or she doesn’t know how to listen either. And when you don’t listen you don’t learn.’

Link: Turn off the TV. Forget Facebook. Just give your kids some time