Many petty issues are increasingly addressed under the 'Health and
Safety' umbrella. This article explores the need for the emotional
wellbeing of very young children to be recognized and highlighted.
Health
and Safety issues, when they apply to conditions at the work place -
minimum temperatures, clean air conditions, safe mechanical conditions,
smoke- free workplace and such like, are absolutely essential. There
have always been people who exploit others for greed and gain,
minimizing safety to make more money and, on the other hand, those who
fight for equality and fairness. Concern for workers reaches far back in
time. It is reported that Hippocrates, in the 4th century BC noted that
lead miners tended to suffer from diseases.
Children used to work
long hours in factories, up chimneys and down the mines. Life
expectancy was limited for these a few centuries ago in Britain. Sadly
child labor continues in parts of the world today. The Factory Act of
1833 in England banned the employment of children under 9 and restricted
the working hours of older children.
The dire conditions of life
for many children and teenagers in Britain in the past (and these
conditions remain in the present day in some parts of the world) should
not be forgotten by those growing up in today's liberal and permissive
society. Today's teenagers should know about these aspects of history
and realize their relative good fortune and also be reminded of the
sacrifices of the many 18-21 yrs olds who have died fighting for their
continued freedom.
If an accident happens and the conditions were
dangerous and negligent then litigation is both reasonable and necessary
for the victim - against the ones responsible. But in very recent
years, 'health and safety' has taken a different turn, and now presents
as an increasingly repressive role in simple childhood activities. It
appears that many of these 'health and safety' issues are motivated more
by fear of litigation than the welfare of those concerned.
Almost
every day there is another ludicrous 'ban' in some area of the country -
e.g. after very many years of tradition children couldn't sing carols
in a shopping center at Christmas. Why? Because they could possibly
block the way out of the center - in case it had to be evacuated.
Children should wear goggles if they play conkers. They should NOT wear
goggles in the swimming pool - the latter restricting those who actually
need goggles to protect their eyes from the chemicals. Children should
not run in playgrounds in case they hurt themselves in the process. And
so the list is added to - daily. Yet, there are major issues which, in
my opinion, need to be addressed urgently and which are ignored or
accepted.
I worked as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist for 35
yrs, specializing in treating adults who had unresolved traumas, often
from childhood events. The effects of the traumas were anxiety,
depression - of varying degrees, and phobias. I treated many people who
had been traumatized by accidents e.g. on the roads, or at work, or who
had been involved in a disaster.
But I can say that never, in all
my years of work, did I work with anyone traumatised by falling over and
hurting themselves in a playground or such childhood activities. Yes,
of course, children should be supervised to keep them safe - that is of
paramount importance - but should be allowed to play games. Running
about to release energy, keep fit and enjoy their play is essential to
development in all aspects. Children have to learn how to run and not
fall, how to take risks - but, with supervision, they learn to do
activities safely. Unless lessons in life, including physical
activities, are gradually taught and confidence learned, how is a child
to become equipped to face adult life with its challenges? Some things
can't be learned in the classroom or from books or suddenly 'known' when
needed in adult life. Capabilities are built with trial, testing the
boundaries and practice.
However, I did have very many patients
who suffered anxiety from 'being or feeling lost' in early childhood,
and from grief due to death or the disappearance of a parent. I saw many
as adults who had been traumatized by bullying at school, or suffered
abuse - whether physically, mentally or sexually. I saw those who had
suffered stress from too high expectations and many who lacked
confidence. I saw those who had been affected adversely from lack of
love - real or apparent - from their parents.
Yet, where is the 'health and safety' fight on behalf of the emotional wellbeing of children?
Who
makes a stand for the tiny tots (under two and a half yrs of age) in
large nurseries all day - at an age before they can learn who people are
or where they are and are 'lost'? Physically they may be looked after
very well, but, and I speak as a psychiatrist, the potential for
emotional trauma is overlooked. No one seems to bat an eyelid - as long
as the young child is clean and well fed. Recent reports have questioned
the actual safety for children in many nurseries, yet parents leave
them there, frequently all day. I heard of parents recently who 'were
not happy with how their child was being looked after at all-day
nursery' but decided 'to wait another term'! What would that child have
said, if he/she could?
These children adapt and learn to cope, as
they have no option but to do so. But, in my opinion, they may pay a
price and so will society. The capacity for deep and loving feelings,
about themselves and others, is developed from birth. A child needs
loving and gentle nurturing by a few people who love them. They do not
develop a strong and resilient core identity if left with strangers all
day, and if they see a parent for only an hour or two per day.
A
friend was traveling on a train and listened to the conversation of the
other women in the carriage - it became apparent that they had very
young children who they saw for 30-40 minutes in a morning and put to
bed at night. Is that what motherhood means? In the present climate of
beliefs, with the importance of status, financial problems, career
structures and hedonism, this is not uncommon. But, they have choice.
The tiny tots have no choice.
Many
older children are going to school for breakfast and staying until
after their evening meal - they literally just sleep at home. These
hours away from home are, in my opinion, far too long. They may not be
working in a factory or climbing the chimneys of old, but it is a form
of 'work'. There is legislation for the maximum number of hours which
adults work, why not for children being in 'compulsory' school 'care'?
Many children do 'out of school' or early evening activities, and love
them, but these are not compulsory or due to the parents being at work,
but from choice. Therein is the difference. Many children don't even
have the school holidays - but are sent to 'activities sessions' day in
and day out and have no choice.
There is an underlying stress,
however mild, when away from home - vigilance, an extra 'awareness'.
Children should have time to play, read, be taken for walks, watch TV,
be creative or literally, do nothing. The only children who should be
compulsorily and without choice away from home before and after school
hours are those whose parents are not fit to care for them, or if they
are fortunate to be able to spend time with others who love them, e.g.
grandparents.
Yet, there are no health and safety issues about
these practices which are actually being encouraged by the government of
the day. Is it 'do as I do' or 'do as I say'? Do the politicians who
advocate nurseries for the under twos or prolongation of the 'at school'
day behave to their children in the same way? I doubt it. If it is not
suitable for their children then it is not suitable for any one else's.
Some children eat all their meals at school - what happens to the
'family round the table' times, the continuous bonding as they grow
older which will be invaluable in adult life?
My only wish is that
those who make decisions for children - parents or those who legislate
or dictate what should or should not be allowed - would do so with more
understanding of a child's emotional needs and development. I prefer to
think that ignorance plays a major role rather than political expediency
where governments are concerned.
School holidays for parents,
flexible working hours, part time training schemes and such like would
enable parents to be parents rather than the ones who provide
accommodation and food, while someone else is paid to do the 'child
rearing'.
Children's emotional and physical wellbeing should be a
priority, not second to material possessions of parents or for
governmental votes. Government money can be spent for good or bad
practice. There is no use trying different modes of learning, different
curricula, or SATS in schools if children are stressed, unhappy,
traumatized, 'switched off' or tired.
Children learn best when
they are happy. It is the duty of the responsible adults - parents,
teachers, carers to do their best to create that state of mind in the
children for whom they care. Children need plenty of sleep, good
wholesome food and rest from regimentation. They need 'breaks' from
routine just as much as adults. They need to be read to, taken for walks
and such like - activities that can cost very little in money terms but
much more in time and effort. I have written a book, 'Growing Up', for
parents to read to their children, giving simple messages of kindness,
caring, courage and such qualities which lead to a happy and fulfilled
life.
Children need parental time for caring, playing and learning
the lessons which cannot be learned in the classroom - and before more
parents lose the skill required. Parents need the time and inclination
to spend time with their children - the government could help encourage
this trend and make it possible, rather than providing other facilities
where people 'stand in' for parents.
To those people, making petty
restrictive rules and regulations under the 'health and safety
umbrella', could I suggest that you learn about and concentrate on the
issues that actually are important, damaging or potentially causing
problems- the emotional issues.
Stand up for the tiny tots. Their
emotional wellbeing is of paramount importance. Emotional harm has far
reaching and lasting effects - I know as I worked in the psycho
therapeutic field for 35 yrs. A bruised knee will be healed in a few
days.
