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Time to arrest the Erosion of Childhood
Letter page and lead headline in the Daily Telegraph, Saturday 24th Sept, 2011
Dear Letters Editor,
SIR – Five years ago, your newspaper published a letter signed by more than 100 experts, arguing that children’s well-being and mental health were being adversely affected by modern technological and commercial culture. Since then, several high-profile reports on the state of childhood in Britain have agreed that our children are suffering from a relentless diet of “too much, too soon” – with Unicef finding Britain to have the lowest levels of children’s well-being in the developed world, and Britain coming out near the top of international league tables on almost all indicators of teenage distress and disaffection. Although parents are deeply concerned about this issue, the erosion of childhood in Britain has continued apace since 2006. Our children are subjected to increasing commercial pressures, they begin formal education earlier than the European norm, and they spend ever more time indoors with screen-based technology, rather than in outdoor activity. The time has come to move from awareness to action. We call on all organisations and individuals concerned about the erosion of childhood to come together to achieve the following: public information campaigns about children’s developmental needs, what constitutes “quality childcare”, and the dangers of a consumerist screen-based life-style; the establishment of a genuinely play-based curriculum in nurseries and primary schools up to the age of six, free from the downward pressure of formal learning, tests and targets; community-based initiatives to ensure that children’s outdoor play and connection to nature are encouraged, supported and resourced within every local neighbourhood, and the banning of all forms of marketing directed at children up to at least age seven. It is everyone’s responsibility to challenge policy-making and cultural developments that entice children into growing up too quickly – and to protect their right to be healthy and joyful natural learners. Top-down, political approaches to change always have their limitations, no matter how well-intentioned. It is only by coming together as a unifying voice from the grass roots, therefore, that we can hope to interrupt the erosion of childhood, and find a more human way to nurture and empower all our children. Signatories (228) Dr Richard House, Dept of Psychology, University of Roehampton
Baroness Susan Greenfield, CBE, FRCP (Hon), Senior Research Fellow, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford Agnes Nairn, Professor of Marketing at EM-Lyon Business School, France and author of the recent UNICEF report on child wellbeingTim Smit, CEO,Eden Project Philip Pullman, author Oliver James, clinical psychologist Camila Batmanghelidjh, founder of Kids Company Jonathan Porritt, founder- Forum for the Future Robin Hanbury-Tennison, OBE, explorer Rt Revd Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester Margaret Morrissey OBE FRSA, founder of www.parentsoutloud.com Penelope Leach, Ph.D, C. Psychol, FBPsS, Institute for the Study of Children, Families & Social Issues; Birkbeck. University of London Sue Palmer, author of Toxic Childhood Susie Orbach, psychoanalyst and writer Professor Rita Jordan BSc., MSc., MA., C.Psychol., PhD, OBE, Emeritus Professor in Autism Studies, University of Birmingham Barry Sheerman, MP, Chair of the Education Select/Parliamentary Committee, 2001-10; Professor, Institute of Education, London; Chair of the Skills Commission Professor Peter Abbs, University of Sussex Susanna Abse, CEO, Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships, London Pat Adams, Childminder since 1987 Kay M. Albrecht, Ph.D., Innovations in Early Childhood Education, Inc., Tomball, TX Priscilla Alderson, Professor Emerita of Childhood Studies, Institute of Education, University of London Joan Almon, Founding Director, US Alliance for Childhood Neil Arksey, children’s author Professor Martin Ashley, Head of Research, Edge Hill University Faculty of Education Paul Atkinson, psychotherapist Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. Dr Toy Simon Baddeley MA, visiting lecturer, School of Government and Society, University of Birmingham Robin Balbernie, infant mental health specialist Geoff Barton, Headteacher, King Edward VI School, Suffolk Dr Teresa Belton, Senior Research Associate, School of Education and Lifelong Learning, University of East Anglia Steve Biddulph, psychologist and author Christine Blower, General Secretary, National Union of Teachers Professor Liz Bondi, University of Edinburgh Dr Mary Bousted, General Secretary,Association of Teachers and Lecturers Kevin J. Brehony, Froebel Professor of Early Childhood Studies, University of Roehampton Sir Tim Brighouse Richard Brinton, Director of Hawkwood College, Stroud Pat Broadhead Ph.D., Professor of Playful Learning, Leeds Metropolitan University Sarah Brook, patron for childhood Annette Brooke, MP, former Liberal Democrat Children’s spokesperson Mick Brookes, former General Secretary, National Association of Head Teachers Greg Brooks, Emeritus Professor of Education, University of Sheffield Dr Onel Brooks, Department of Psychology,University of Roehampton Dr Fraser Brown, Reader in Playwork, Faculty of Health & Social Sciences Leeds Metropolitan University Ron Butterly Ph.D., Principal Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, Leeds Metropolitan University Sandy Campbell, founding director, Working Rite Tanith Carey, author of Where Has My Little Girl Gone? How to Protect Your Daughter From Growing Up Too Soon Fiona Carnie, Vice President, European Forum for Freedom in Education John Carnochan, detective chief superintendent, co-director Scottish Violence Reduction Unit Theresa Casey, play consultant and author, President of the International Play Association: Promoting the Child’s Right to Play Marie Charlton, independent educational consultant Jean Clark, great-grandmother, retired psychotherapist, Fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Professor Guy Claxton, Co-Director, Centre for Real-World Learning, University of Winchester Christopher Clouder, Director, European Council for Steiner Waldorf Education Anne Cooke, Clinical Psychologist Paul Cooper, Founder Member, National Children’s Football Alliance Alex Coren, University of Oxford Nicki Cornwell, Children’s author Ros Coward, Professor of Journalism, University of Roehampton Carol Craig, CEO Centre for Confidence and Well-being, Glasgow Rhona Cunningham, Fife Gingerbread Fiona Danks, ‘Going Wild’ – books bringing the natural world to children; www.goingwild.net Mike Davies, Human Scale Education Professor Robert A. Davis, Head of School of Education, University of Glasgow Gloria DeGaetano, author, Parenting Well in a Media Age; Founder, The Parent Coaching Institute Dr Harbrinder Dhillon-Stevens, Senior Lecturer, Chartered Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist, Child Art Psychotherapist Christine Doddington, Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Cambridge John Dougherty, children’s author, parent, former teacher Margaret Edgington, Early Years educational consultant and trainer Dr Richard Eke, School of Education,University of the West of England Peter Elfer, Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies; University of Roehampton Susan Elkin, journalist, author of Unlocking the Reader in Every Child, former teacher Wendy Ellyatt, Independent writer and researcher, founder of the Unique Child Network Ricky Emanuel, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, and Head of Child Psychotherapy, Royal Free Hospital, London Colin Feltham, Emeritus Professor of Counselling Studies, Sheffield Hallam University Anna Firth, Councillor and full-time mother Julie Fisher, Independent Early Years Adviser Dr Peter Fitzsimons, educational management consultant (Australia) Peter Flack, Assistant Secretary, National Union of Teachers in Leicester; school governor Irène François, Program Director, Rudolf Steiner College, San Francisco Canon Dr Giles Fraser, St Paul’s Cathedral Philip Gammage, Emeritus Professor, University of Nottingham Natalie Ganpatsingh, Director, Nature Nurture Sue Gerhardt, psychotherapist, author of The Selfish Society Melanie Gill, forensic psychologist, founder of The Mindful Policy Group Christopher Gilmore, A United Press Writer of the Year, 2010 Sally Goddard Blythe, Director of the Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology (INPP) Lavinia Gomez, Forum for Independent Psychotherapists and UKCP Aonghus Gordon, Founder and Director of Ruskin mill Educational Trust Mike Greenaway, Director, Play Wales Steven Groarke, Member of the British Psycho-Analytical Society; University of Roehampton Philip Gross, Professor of Creative Writing, Glamorgan University, poet (winner, CLPE award 2011, Wales Book of the Year 2010, T.S. Eliot Prize 2009) Martin Hardiman, Director West of England Steiner Teacher Training Tobin Hart, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, University of West Georgia Gerry Hassan, writer and commentator on Scottish politics Sylvie Hétu, writer, trainer, Founder of the Massage In Schools Programme Russell Hobby, General Secretary, National Association of Head Teachers Patrick Holford, CEO, Food for the Brain Foundation Lois Holzman, Ph.D., East Side Institute, New York City Grethe Hooper Hansen, former director of the Society for Effective Affective Learning (SEAL) Dr Christopher Houghton Budd, Centre for Associative Economics and Visiting Lecturer, City University, London Susan Howard, Coordinator of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (Spring Valley, NY); Co-ordinator, International Association for Steiner-Waldorf Early Childhood Education (Stockholm); Director, Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Education, Sunbridge Institute (Spring Valley, NY) Peter Humphreys, Centre for Personalised Education Marguerite Hunter Blair, Chief Executive, Play Scotland Dr Barry Hymer, Visiting Professor of Education, Cumbria University; and Co-director, Centre for Wise Education J. David Ingleby, Emeritus Professor of Intercultural Psychology, Utrecht University Lynne Jamieson, Chair, 21st Century Families, East Kilbride, Scotland Jane Johnston, Reader in Education, Bishop Grosseteste University College, Lincoln Frances Kane, Leader of Association Administration, Association of Waldorf Schools of North America Graham Kennish BSc (Hons), Educational Consultant/Trainer Suzanne Keys, Counsellor, Newham Sixth Form College Rupert Kingfisher, Children’s Author Professor Saville Kushner, School of Education, University of the West of England Dr Simon Kuttner, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist Martin Large, publisher and author Neal Lawson, Chair, Compass, author of All Consuming Professor Lord Layard, Director, Well-Being Programme, Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics & Political Science Dr John Lees, Senior Lecturer in Mental Health, University of Leeds Mary Leue, childhood advocate, founder of The Free School, Albany, New York Diane Levin, Ph.D., Professor of Education, Wheelock College, Boston, Mass. Pauline Lindsay, supply teacher and former Primary School Teacher Professor Del Loewenthal, Director, Research Centre for Therapeutic Education,University of Roehampton David Lorimer, Programme Director, Scientific and Medical Network Caroline Lucas, Leader, Green Party Neil McClelland, Former Director, National Literacy Trust; Vice Chairman, Surrey Care Trust Karyn McCluskey, co-director, Scottish Violence Reduction Unit Iain McGilchrist, Former clinical director at Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospital and author of The Master and His Emissary Ian McGowan, Co-director, The Movement and Learning Centre, Scotland John McKendrick, Board of Directors, Play Scotland; Senior Lecturer, Glasgow School for Business and Society Ian McLaughlan, Chief Executive, Scottish Pre-school Play Association Vimala McLure, founder of the International Association of Infant Massage, writer Susan Mairs, School Librarian, Co Antrim Dr Elena Manafi, Chartered Counselling Psychologist, Programme Director, DPsych, Regent’s College, London Dr Ana Marjanovic-Shane, Assistant Professor of Education, Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA Dr Peter Martin, CPsychol, AFBPsS, Chair of the BPS Division of Counselling Psychology Mildred Masheder MA, author of Positive Childhood and Recapturing Childhood Dr Brien Masters, Director of the London Waldorf Teacher Training Seminar (1983-2009) Richard Masters, Manager, Hermes Trust Eugene Matusov, Ph.D., Professor of Education, University of Delaware Patrice Maynard, M.Ed., Leader, Outreach & Development, Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, Ghent, NY Professor Trisha Maynard, Chair of TACTYC, Director of the Research Centre for Children, Families and Communities, Canterbury Christ Church University Ed Mayo, co-author, Consumer Kids Dr Roland Meighan, Trustee of the Centre for Personalized Education Gabriel Millar, therapist and teacher Edward Miller, Executive Director, US Alliance for Childhood Faisal Mohammed, Muslim Education and Outreach, Cambridge Richard Monte, Children’s Author Dr Lyndsey Moon, Senior Lecturer in Counselling Psychology, University of Roehampton Bel Mooney, writer Brian Moses, Children’s poet Professor Emeritus Janet Moyles, Early Years and Play Consultant Lucy Musgrave, Director, Publica Mrs Pauline Myers, National Chairman, Townswomen’s Guilds Dr Ute Navidi, Chief Executive, London Play Janni Nicol, Steiner Waldorf educational consultant Vincent Nolan, Trustee, Synectics Education Initiative Michel Odent MD, Primal Health Research Centre Lynne Oldfield, Director London Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Training Course, author of Free to Learn Peggy O’Mara, Editor-in-Chief, Mothering.com Professor Timothy O’Riordan, OBE Dr Jayne Osgood, Reader,Early Childhood Education, London Metropolitan University Professor Stephen Palmer, Director, Coaching Psychology Unit, City University London; co-author of Coping with Stress at University: A Survival Guide Rod Parker-Rees, Associate Professor in Early Childhood Studies, Plymouth University Philip Parkin, General Secretary, Voice – the union for education professionals Alan Parkinson, geographer, founder member of The Geography Collective Michael M. Patte, Ph.D., Distinguished Fulbright Scholar, Associate Professor of Education, Bloomsburg University, PA Dr Jennifer Patterson, Senior Lecturer in Education, Department of Education and Community Studies, University of Greenwich Dr Lindsay Peer CBE, psychologist, author and speaker Professor Michael A. Peters, Faculty of Education, University of Waikato, NZ; Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois Professor Pat Petrie, Centre for Understanding Social Pedagogy, Institute of Education, London Professor David Pilgrim, University of Central Lancashire Linda Pound, early years consultant Dr Gillian Proctor, clinical psychologist and author Adrian Ramsey, Deputy Leader, Green Party Patricia Ranken, for Montessori Education (UK) Ltd Daniel Raven-Ellison, geographer, founder member of Love Outdoor Play, author of Mission Explore John Rayment, Principal Lecturer, Decision Making and Problem Solving, Anglia Ruskin University Vasu Reddy, Professor of Developmental and Cultural Psychology, University of Portsmouth and author of How Infants Know Minds Jayne Redmond, Senior University Lecturer; psychotherapist Dr Bronwen Rees, Director, Centre for Transformational Management Practice, Anglia Ruskin University Professor Colin Richards HMI (ret.) Dr Kathy Ring, Senior Lecturer in Early Years and Primary Education, York St John University Karen Robinson, Head of Education and Equalities, National Union of Teachers Dr Maria Robinson (Ph.D.), Independent Adviser in Early Development Veronika and Paul Robinson, Editors, The Mother magazine Richard Rose, Primary School teacher / Music Writer / Producer (R*E*P*E*A*T Records), Cambridge Patti Rundall, OBE, Policy Director, Baby Milk Action Professor Andrew Samuels, University of Essex Jo Schofield, ‘Going Wild’ – books bringing the natural world to children; www.goingwild.net Dr Daniel G. Scott, Director, School of Child & Youth Care, University of Victoria, BC, Canada Wendy Scott, early years consultant Dorothy Y. Selleck, Early Years Consultant Therese Shorthouse, Manager VIP Childcare Centre, Elgin Kim Simpson, psychotherapist, Montessori Head Teacher Alan Sinclair, economist with The Work Foundation and author of Why Small Children Make a Big Difference Pippa Smith, Co Chairman, Safermedia Professor Richard Smith, Durham University Ralf Smits, Acting Headteacher at Borrowdale Primary School, Cumbria Dr Robert Snell, psychotherapist, former school counsellor Hank Stam, Professor of Psychology, University of Calgary Elizabeth Steinthal, Head teacher, Educare Small School, London Dr Tom Strong, Professor and Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Education, University of Calgary Dr Sebastian Suggate, Department of Education, University of Regensburg Dr Judith Suissa, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy of Education, Institute of Education Miranda Suit, Co Chairman, Safermedia Brenda Swindells, retired teacher and librarian, concerned grandparent Robert Swindells, Writer for children, concerned grandparent Jill Taplin, Steiner Early Childhood Consultant Professor Brian Thorne, University of East Anglia and The College of Teachers Professor Sami Timimi, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, and Lincoln University Dr Val Todd, counsellor and psychotherapist Ann M. Trousdale, associate professor, Louisiana State University, and ordained deacon, United Methodist Church Dr Keith Tudor, Associate Professor of Psychotherapy, AUT University, Auckland Dr Rona Tutt OBE, SEN consultant, speaker and writer Diana Voller, Psychotherapist/Snr Lecturer, University of Roehampton Philip Waddell, Poet Chris Waterman, Editor, Children’s Services Weekly Dr Sara Watkin, general practitioner Susan Weber, Director of Sophia’s Hearth Family Center, Keene, New Hampshire Professor Linden West, Canterbury Christ Church University Dr David Whitebread, Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology and Early Education, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge Professor John Whitelegg, School of the Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University Dr Helen Wright, Headmistress, St Mary’s Calne and President, Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) Dominic Wyse, Professor of Early Childhood and Primary Education, Institute of Education, London Deirdre Youngs, RPP, CPE, Dip.PBT, Pre- and Perinatal Birth Therapist and Educator Dr Suzanne Zeedyk, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology, University of Dundee |
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New Website and Birth of a New Movement
www.savechildhood.net
 The details of both initiatives can now be found on the new website www.savechildhood.net. We are using this site to bring together those people who are interested in the issues and who would like to be kept informed about a new and more comprehensive movement that we are currently planning for launch in 2012. You can express your interest in the idea and offer your support via the site.
As we feel that OpenEYE still has a part to play in questioning current early-years policy-making when it continues to fall short of a real understanding of childhood, it will continue in its current form. The new movement will, however, tackle the larger, wider and deeper issues including calling on governments and all related organisations to:
You can now sign an online petition to this effect here and we would be really grateful if you could help let other people know about it. For the first time we have also set up a donations button so that people can help us raise the funds to develop the new initiative. Until now OpenEYE has been completely self-funding, with everyone giving their time for free, but we feel that the new initiative deserves a more stable and effective structure to help it grow and we are looking at ways in which this could be achieved. There is a donation button on the front page of the new site and on the left-hand column of this newsletter. We hope that the combination of both organisations will provide a highly effective challenge and counter to the influences that so many of us feel are currently eroding natural childhood. |
