The Genius of Natural Childhood – Secrets of Thriving Children
One of the greatest threats to modern society comes not from diseases of the past which Medicine and Hygiene have largely controlled, but illnesses, learning and social problems which are a direct consequence of modern living conditions, lifestyle and ignorance of children’s biological needs perpetuated by a culture of political correctness – from sedentary lifestyles, increase in childhood obesity, lack of physical play and one-to-one social engagement – to loss of nursery rhymes, fairy tales, bedtime stories and rough and tumble play. Sally Goddard Blythe, Director of INPP explains:
Why movement is an essential ingredient for healthy brain development
How music, song, lullabies and nursery rhymes prepare the brain for language
Why fairy tales engender an understanding of moral behaviour and enable children to face their emotional fears in safety
Why rough and tumble play exercise neural circuits involved in creativity and self regulation
What to look out for if your child does not seem to be “ready” for school.
Description
According to statistics from the USA: 30% of children will enter kindergarten developmentally delayed; 30% of children are obese; 20% of children require special education assistance; infants watch 2.5 hours per day of TV and toddlers watch 4.5 hours per day TV; Elementary children use 8 hours per day of combined technologies and in the UK 40% of parents admit they have never read to their child.
Sally Goddard Blythe draws on neuroscience to unpack the wisdom inherent in lullabies, nursery, rhymes and fairy stories. She explains why movement experience in the early years is essential for healthy child development and why music helps to develop and enhance language. Dr Jane Williams, Director of Toddler Kindy GymbaROO in Australia provides a starter pack of games and activities which parents can do with their children. The final chapter provides a series of check lists of signs to look out for in children who may need additional help in getting “ready” for school.
Publisher: Hawthorn Press. Stroud. www.hawthornpress.com
Publication date: Summer 2011
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