Benefits of CREATIVE PLAY for children

When we think of helping our children to develop we usually think of academic qualities like reading, writing, maths and concentration. But we really need to add creativity to that list of beneficial qualities. It is with creativity our children not only have fun and explore skills to make arts and crafts, play instrument’s, write songs – but more importantly it is through creative play that children learn skills that will help them tackle everyday life. It will help them solve problems, learn about themselves and learn to live successful, fulfilling and happy lives.

Creative Play has: Intellectual Benefits , Physical Benefits , Emotional Benefits , Social Benefits

So with this in mind CREATIVITY is an asset we need to help all of our children nurture and develop. But I stress to parents with shy children more so….. Interactive Creative Play is essential self esteem building, confident boosting and positive thinking for their own self expression which ultimately will help them adapt to a social world where communication and connection to others will help them live fulfilled and empowered lives which will embed the notion of self respect, respect for others and the ambition to reach their full potential.

Creativity helps children reflect and understand their own feelings and inner thoughts, which ultimately helps them deal with issues and develop with a healthier outlook on their own strengths and abilities.They will try new things, learn new skills and be happy!

Being creatuve nurtures a childs emotional health as they explore personal feelings and experiences in a fun and playful way, without judgement. We as adults love “ME” time – the same is for children. Creative play allows for uniqueness , exploration of special talents and a fun playtime that draws the child away from stresses in their lives into their imagination and happy/safe place.

Creative learning shows children its fun to be spontaneous and impulsive. It allows children to have fun, to be playful without regimentation.Through which they can escape away from the real world.

How to help your child be creative:

Inspire them to be creative by being creative yourself. Perhaps act out scenarios which will explore their feelings and allow them to express themselves in a playful way.

Provide creative environment, provide equipment such as paints, moulding clay, pens, colouring pencils, props, puppets, costumes, toys , mud clay , plastersine, lego, building blocks, cuddly toys, musical instruments etc. Make time for creative play. And make it colourful with stimulus for inspiration and imagination.

Make objects, homemade things, great to find special talents and spending time escaping real life.

Dramatic play & improvisation, acting out scenarios will help children express their true inner feelings.

Creative movement playing games like head shoulders knees and toes , follow the leader and simon says is not only great for co-ordination but it teaches listening skills and interaction if in a big group.

Classes and groups – These are great for interaction as well as exploring their own self expression. These build social skills and emotional skills. A winning suggestion!!

www.themagicsunglasses.com has great interactive workshops for children. It also has a great creative workbook for parents and a great book which will help children imagination and self esteem.

Shy children are being diagnosed with "social anxiety disorder" and treated with prozac. Should we not turn to confidence booster techniques instead?

So now psycologists are telling us a shy child has social anxiety and a sad child has depression. What’s their solution. Prozac! HEY!!!? Surely careful support by parents, teachers, coaches, play groups, children’s authors, child practitioners will be a better solution. There is a wealth of help and support for shy children. We need Confidence boosters for children not Prozac!!! Theres a name for a beneficial facebook group if there ever was one!

The reason I am discussing this is the new guidelines in place in America for treating shy children with drugs for social anxiety disorder. Do we want this brought over to the UK? I’d suggest strongly – NO!! Kate Fallon, general secretary of the Association of Educational Psychologists, told delegates: “In 2013 we’re expecting new criteria for the definition of mental illness to be adopted here in the UK. These criteria will lead to many more children being diagnosed as mentally ill, based on reports of their behaviours.” So I ask: Is shyness a mental disorder that needs treating? Or something a lot of children go through while they learn about the world and about themselves? Surely its support and not drugs that our children need.

Martin Beckford, Health Correspondent in the Telegraph states our shy children “could be prescribed powerful medication such as Prozac or Ritalin to control or alter their behaviour.” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8763431/Shy-children-at-risk-of-being-diagnosed-with-mental-disorder.html What ? What about long lasting effects? What about dealing with problems?What about finding solutions? Working through issues? What about social interaction and communication skill building? There are all things we need to learn and through experience and knowledge can be found easily.

Recent figures show 650,000 children aged between eight and 13 are on pscyhotropic drugs, up from just 9,000 two decades ago, while others are taking Prozac for depression or anxiety. Fears are growing that the number of children diagnosed with mental disorders and prescribed drugs will increase still further after 2013, when a new “bible” of the psychiatric profession is published. This is called DSM. The British Psychological Society have raised concerns about the proposed revisions to the DSM.

Prof Peter Kinderman, chairman of the society’s Division of Clinical Psychology, said: “We’re not certain that a diagnosis and a medical response is the best way to help these kids.” Here, Here!

Understand and help , not diagnose and treat with medication.

I was a very shy child at school. I would feel too shy to ask for a new work book once mine had finished… but yet through growing up my job is singing and entertaining thousands of people across the country every weekend. Thank goodness I dealt with my problem and didn’t turn to medication , else id be the same now. Hiding behind others, feeling intimidated by other people, feeling insecure, having low self esteem. But I did not have a mental disorder and I strongly suggest neither do most of our shy children. I recommend some other methods of help. Lets help our children now by helping them;

· Boost their Self Esteem

· Improve their Confidence

· Find their special talents

· Explore their strengths

· Interact and socialize in groups they enjoy

· Find a respect for themselves and others

· Form friendships

· Appreciate their uniqueness

Where can you find support for these confidence builders

· Local Community Centres

· Play Groups/Toddler Groups/ Activity Groups

· Childrens Books that include these issues of confidence , esteem and self respect

· Workshops/Drama Groups/Music Groups

I would highly recommend that shy children read The Magic Sunglasses and join the website www.themagicsunglasses.com . So they can interact and learn about shyness and how you can live successful, happy and confident lives. Auriel Blanche the wonderful author and founder of The Magic Sunglasses project connects and empowers children across the UK with this book and workshop. It’s a great benefit for children who are shy- and it beats taking them to the doctors to merely be diagnosed from a book and treated with medication which will not help them over come their shyness problem!!

Lets empower our shy children to socialise and interact with others by finding others of a similar age and similar interests to help form friendships, learn about each other and themselves. We are all special and equal. A positive child, a confident child and an empowered child will strive for success, strive for their potential and live a more fun and satisfying life- We owe our children the best. So please please help your children and do not abide to the DSM and the psychologists who are stopping our shy children from being happy!!

Lets get our children outside, enjoying nature and keeping fit

Do we blame societies nervousness, parents busy schedules, or the rise of technology? Im one for taking my dog for a walk first thing in the morning. One reason is because he needs exercise and it is my responsibility that he gets it. But also, I benefit from the outdoors; it clears the cobwebs, refreshes me and sets me in good stead for a productive day. Not only this but long term its keeping me active, fit and exercised aswell. With lots of parks, fields, greens, lakes and farms around me I feel very privalliged. But will our children grow to love the outdoors like I do?
Do we have a problem where our children are playing inside on computers and watching tv, instead of exploring and taking fun adventures outside? Will this have an impact on their health for the future? Do our children get the exercise they need? Is it a result of urbonised, electronic homes? Or due to parents now creating a risk-adversed world with nature-deficit disorders all round?With so many questions I can only show you my research from the experts.
Consultant Tim Gill, author of the report Sowing the Seeds: Reconnecting London's Children with Nature, "The way I unpack the idea is that regular contact with nature is part of a balanced diet of childhood experiences.
"If children do not have those experiences then they are not going to thrive to the same degree as if they did," he added.
"They are also likely to grow up not caring about the world around them; while it is not a clinical condition, it should be something that worries us." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16963807

The National Trust chief executive Dame Fiona said "Children are missing out on the sheer joy and physical and mental well-being of being able to play outside and experience nature in all its messiness.
"It's partly technology and it's partly a sort of nervousness. The freedom for children to roam unsupervised has shrunk by 90% since the 1970s.
"The world is a different place and people have become very anxious about the risks - real or perceived." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17257562

Health services are starting to take notice and organisations are now helping to get our children outside, exercising and away from the computer screens . A few to take a look at are listed below.
Play England http://www.playengland.org.uk/ - an organisation that focuses on giving children access to free play areas - has funding from Natural England to run a programme to re-engage children with the natural world. "Fundamentally, we believe that kids should be outside playing for a good proportion of the day because it is how you can stay happy, less stressed but it is also good in a whole range of ways," said Play England director Cath Prisk However, she added: "Research we carried out last year showed that parents think taking their kids to the park is something you do as a treat instead of something you do everyday.” . http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16963807
Change for life for children http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/up-and-about.aspx “Activity is good for kids' health. It raises their heartbeats and helps pump blood around their bodies. It’s like a mini workout for their lungs and muscles! It also decreases their chances of getting life-threatening diseases. A good dose of fresh air and exercise also helps us all sleep better. So tiring out kids with activity every day will help them nod off at a good hour and make them feel alert for the next day.”

Transform my patch charity, with Denise Van Outen and pother celebrities involved in a national competition to improve children’s playgrounds and parks in different areas. http://www.transformyourpatch.com/projects

With the olympics just around the corner we have many organisations and websites also getting children fit and active. Youth Sport Trust, Youth Ambassador Britain , Get Set London
I will be looking more into this issue and will keep blogs coming as we get closer to the olympics – so watch this space.

Who is to blame for the urgent threat of eating disorders on our children?

There is an urgent need for services to recognise and treat eating disorders in young children, say experts. So I call for a new ethical editorial code with the promotion of diverse body shapes within the media, an increased understanding of eating disorders and knowledge of treatments from our GPs and more support services aimed at younger children. 1.6 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. It is effecting our children and we must act now!!

According to BBC News. “The study of UK and Irish data suggests three in every 100,000 children under the age of 13 have an eating disorder, including children as young as six.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12920551 Shockingly there has been an 80% rise in the number of young girls admitted to hospital with anorexia in England over the last decade. Who do we blame? Parents?Media?GPs?

It has been suggested in another News Report that GPs are failing on treating and supporting those with eating disorders “Based on a survey of 1,500 people with eating disorders, the report found many thought their GP lacked knowledge about treatments, or how to access them.” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7905223.stm If our own doctors don’t understand or support our children who are suffering with eating disorders where can our children turn to?

Psychiatrists at the Royal College of Psychiatry blame Media for our children’s eating disorders. Their view is that the media promotes unhealthy body images and glamourising eating disorders. Dr Adrienne Key from the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Eating Disorders Section said "Although biological and genetic factors play an important role in the development of these disorders, psychological and social factors are also significant…..That's why we are calling on the media to take greater responsibility for the messages it sends out." Magazines, Celebrities , TV programmes, Adverts, all include underweight models, often airbrushed, making children feel insecure about themselves and gives them low selfesteems. Can we blame the models? The Celebrities? Or are they themselves under the same sad pressure of getting to the size zero ‘media portrayed perfection’?

So I’ve discussed the problem, pointed my fingers at those to blame but lets look for help.

The main support groups I found for eating disorders, were aimed at adolescents and not young children. Dr Dasha Nicholls, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said there were huge developmental differences between children and adolescents and adults. "Our study shows there is an urgent need to consider the needs of children with eating disorders separately and not simply lower the age range of existing adolescent services." So we must take note from the expert, I’m in agreement. Where puberty can be the cause of low self esteem and eating disorders it is important to understand that we are talking about younger children with the same disorder. Simply lowering the age groups within these support services just wouldn’t be enough. We need to find services which specifically aim their help at younger children, after all we are talking about children as young as six!

Which brings me to the fabulous charity Beat. B-eat. (beating eating disorders) Beat’s vision is that eating disorders will be beaten. They aim to ; change the way everyone thinks and talks about eating disorders, improve the way services and treatment are provided and to help anyone believe that their eating disorder can be beaten Beat is great, they focus on challenging the stereotypes and stigma that people with eating disorders face. They are constantly campaigning for better services and treatment. They also provide information, support and encourage children to seek treatment and recovery. “Beat is the leading eating disorders charity in the UK and last year had direct contact with 250,000 people. In its 21st year the organisation campaigns to raise awareness, influence decision takers and offers information and support to those affected.” http://www.b-eat.co.uk/

Lets not forget that parents, carers, schools all have a responsibility to keep our children safe and healthy . There may not be many eating disorder organisations to help our children currently but there are other organisations that offer services to help boost children’s self esteem. That are confidence builders, that teach that we are all unique and that we all have different strengths and weaknesses. That we should love ourselves for the strengths we do have and not punish ourselves for what others may perceive as weaknesses.

The Magic Sunglasses Project for example is an organization that gives children the tools to develop real practical self confidence. Provides the path and strategy for children to fulfil their potential. It also helps children discover they have the power to make choices in their lives. The over all message being that we all have true special and unique qualities. It teaches children to value themselves, have respect for others. It empowers children to be themselves , to develop confidently with a healthy self esteem. It supplys children with the skills to live happy successful lives and to live without the pressure of conforming to the issues that create eating disorders in the first instance! : )

Written by Kaley Herrick ,researcher of child development related to the creative arts.

Childrens Reading Groups

As you all know by now, I love charities and organisations that are helping to inspire children to love and enjoy reading! Companies that have a motivation for helping the children of the nation to be highly educated and inspired children with fantastic literacy skills , communication skills, social skills and a respect for themselves and others.

Now another one I would like to shout about is Chatterbooks. This is run by The Reading Agency and has been set up for children aged between 8-11 . The aim is to get children fired up and excited about reading. They have won awards for its national network of reading groups aimed at children. The groups all incorporate fun and creativity within the story reading and discussions.

Reading for pleasure has a profound effect on individuals and communites , so chatterbooks can be organised for schools, libraries , clubs , or anywhere which it can be used.

Chatterbooks Reads is run in collaboration with Children's Reading Partners.

Chatterbooks Reads aims:
* to introduce children to the best new writing and expand their reading horizons
* to help parents make informed reading choices for their children
* to enhance libraries' promotion of current children's literature

Chatterbooks has quizzes, games and activities related to the books to encourage children to discuss issues in the book, to communicate and develop socially with the literature being at the heart of the chattering!

There are about 550 chatterbook groups across the UK, with some 8500 children aged 4-12 taking part. If you would like to learn more… or hold a chatterbooks event please view the website. http://readinggroups.org/chatterbooks/

Another reading book club to mention is the magic sunglasses. www.themagicsunglasses.com - an ideal reading group and book to encourage self esteem , self confidence and understanding of each individual having true special talents…

Written by Kaley Herrick ,researcher of child development related to the creative arts.

World Book Day. Encouraging childrens love for books - yippie!!

Its March the 1st today , which can only mean one thing... pinch punch with rabbits , no? Its WORLD BOOK DAY!! Which is a huge "like" for me as its encouraging children to enjoy reading with lots of fun included. Most children today went to school dressed as their favourite characters from their favourite literature. The fantastic Netmums were on hand for help with what children could dress up as. http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/home-life-8/seasonal-chat-arts-crafts-99/537886-quick-easy-costume-ideas-book-week.html

So today parents , schools and libraries have helped in the battle of getting our children reading , to get children to put down the computer games and the tap tapping of keyboards and to pick up a book that will be fun and educational! EDUTAINMENT!! After all how great are books? Theyre portable, help childrens literacy, language knowledge ,and not a empty battery that needs charging in sight!! We are all very tied up in technology . I am one of them - i'm all for updating a status or two, "liking" my favourite tv programmes etc, but I also know the importance of book reading for adults and more importantly for our children and their education!

I am constantly horrified by facts and figures about our children not even owning books and how low literacy levels are in the UK compared to other countries and I believe it is the states duty to teach good literacy, parents should take hold of their responsibilities for this issue also!! But thats why I love World Book Day... It brings parents, schools , libraries and children in over 100 countries altogether . It brings everyone together to CELEBRATE!

World Book Day is definitely a great way to inspire children and encourage reading, so we should celebrate it!

A celebration of authors, illustrators and literature. A celebration of books and reading ! “The main aim of World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own.” http://www.worldbookday.com/about/

Lots is happening on World Book Day. Half a million children in 21 countries have the chance to join top childrens authors to celebrate the day by a live stream being broadcasted into thousands of schools worldwide. Jaqueline Wilson and Eoin Colfer are said to be involved.

Other activities invloved are in WBD are:

The Biggest Book Show on Earth:
A huge event at the South Bank involving nearly 1,000 children and 15 authors and illustrators will be broadcast to schools, nurseries, bookshops and libraries around the country.

WBD App:
Will launch in February 2012 and a teen event will take place at the Apple Store in Covent Garden, London, and streamed on iTunes.

Storytelling Superstars:
A nationwide search to find the country's best storyteller. Julia Donaldson will be the ambassador and head judge for the competition and discussions are ongoing with a national media partner.

WBD Ambassadors:
Peter Andre has already been confirmed by WBD and it is seeking other ambassadors including sports figures and journalists to pre-promote WBD and drive up awareness of the campaign.

Big Fiction Finds:
WBD is working with Netmums to pre-promote WBD into Netmums' community, using £1 WBD authors on the website and Q&As with authors including Jacqueline Wilson.

Blue Peter:
Discussions are under way to dedicate a "Blue Peter" programme to WBD with features around the day, alongside the announcement of the Blue Peter Book Award winner on WBD.

500 Words:
Radio 2's Chris Evans will launch a 500-Word Short Story Competition in January, which will be promoted to schools and libraries.

For more information please view the website http://www.worldbookday.com/about/

Happy Reading : )

For more inspiration for your children try www.themagicsunglasses.com - well worth a visit!
Written by Kaley Herrick ,researcher of child development related to the creative arts.

Can we help our children love to read?

Yes we can with the help of fantastic authors that inspire childrens imaginations. If a child identifies with the characters, or a book makes them feel good about themselves and improves their selfesteem , they will choose to read books and enjoy to read books.

Why do we need to encourage reading you ask? Because it improves literacy levels , it is educational , it offer stimulus for creative imagination , it is a great source of entertainment away from the computer/tv screen, it will improve concentration , help children explore new opportunities, adventures , experiences. When a parent reads with a child it is great for quality time - one to one - and strengthens the personal relationship and bonding. ,Reading together improves a childs communication skills and helps them learn about language and speech , rhythm for reading and and understanding that reading can be fun and sociable.

So how do we encourage children to love to read? Well I looked first at the Love 2 Read website which offers the opportunity to create personalised books , that children will love.

“The aim of each unique book is to help your child develop a love of reading. It does this by presenting photographs which reflect your child’s world and relating them to simple words. Research shows that if your child loves books they will learn to read much faster and you will be encouraging a lifelong love of reading.” http://www.love2read.co.uk/

A personaised book will make a child feel special and boost their self esteem. It will motivate them to read more books im sure.

There are many other options to inspire reading, not just personalised books. Parents are the most fundamental role models for children, so if we could just encourage them to offer a book to their child, read to them or with them , then the hard work will be done by the time the child goes to school.

A child could be motivated into books by workshops, activities and fun classes that would co-inside with the book. One I would recommend would be The magic sunglasses , written by Auriel Blanche. Who not only has a story that many children enjoy , but the book also offers stimulus for workshops to run along with the book. The Magic Sunglasses itself promotes the encouragement and connection of children. It helps boost confidence and self esteem for each individual. A great read!! www.themagicsunglasses.com

My Top Tips to help your children love reading :

Make books accessible for your child, read to them, have books around the house, take a child to a library (many are children friendly)

Show your child that you also read books. Children see their parents as role models and like to imitate what the see their parents doing.

Give a book as a gift ! children love gifts, it makes them feel special. They will love a book , given with love.

Make Reading Fun!! This can be with how you read a story together, perhaps play games, have activities related to the story. Make sure the books are inspiring and fun themselves. Maybe use puppets, song, etc

Children will find spending time with a parent a good reason to read - turn off the TV and any other distraction and give full enthusiastic attention.

Written by Kaley Herrick ,researcher of child development related to the creative arts.