Mumsnet Talk

Apologies to non Scottish people but I think these adverts are being run by the Scottish Executive.

Basically if you are not aware they are freaky adverts with a young baby and a parent and music comes on and the baby starts dancing and so does the parent, along with the "first 3 years of your childs life are the most important so communicate with them"

There are also radio adverts talking about reading to your child and talking to them to help them improve their communication skills.

Oh and I was stopped in the street and asked if I thought talking to a child under 3 was a waste of time and did I read to my child?

Now I know they are trying but they are so condesending and my point is that if you HAVE to tell a parent to talk to their child should they be a parent in the first place. Surely all caring parents are doing this anyway and the ones who aren't are not going to be swayed by these adverts?

I just think they ar a pointless waste of money?

Just my musings?

i'm not so sure... i often have to remind myself to talk to ds, though i also enjoy our companionable silences.

i do feel a little bit like lazy mum though when i compare myself to cm / strangers, who know to spell things out to him - 'apple, see the APPLE' etc. i tend to expect him to pick stuff up from normal conversations. ds is 11 months old and pfb.

Every time I'm home in Scotland I can't believe how many Scottish Executive-funded stating-the-bloody-obvious ads there are.

And how simplistic and condescending they are. Couldn't believe www.lookokfeelcrap.com. WTF???

Now wonder people down here couldn't give a shit about Scotland getting independence.

[don't want to get into a political fight emoticon]

[have had wine]

The Scottish Executive take the view that the electorate is as thick as mince.

The type of people this advert is aimed at don't actually give a toss about their children so yes, it is a waste of money.

I haven't seen the adverts. Advertising does work, though, even on thick people, so not a waste of money. Whether someone should be a parent in the first place is neither here nor there. They are, let's try and make it better for their children.

I would argue about the first 3 yrs being "the most important of someone's lief", but that's me.

Glasgow is the only place I have seen an ad (by the GHA) reminding people to pay their rent.

Me to young first time mother, baby 6 weeks old, in bouncy chair in front of TV:
"Oh, congratulations, what a bonny (yes, I am HCP in Scotland) baby!"
Mum: "Thank you! He really likes his cartoons."
Me: "Really? But do you speak to him as well?"
Mum: "No, he is too young!"


Fast forward 3 years and same boys needs referral to SALT for severe language delay.

Anecdotal, I know, and may be unrelated however still makes me sad when I think about it.

Doesn't make the ads any less irritating by the way, and they will probably not achieve anything, but I do actually think there is a need for encouraging communication (verbal and non-verbal) between parents/carers and young children.

I am still choking on my porridge at the forthcoming £500,000 to be spent on fireworks and razzmatazz this St Andrews Day - all to draw attention to Alex Salmond's proposed Independence musings. And don't mention the tram.

Yes, I think the adverts are a waste of money - better spent in giving out books etc.
There are lots of these ads - like the 'avoid smack or the dog's nose will bleed' one.

Ive not seen the adverts as I dont live in Scotland but I think the spirit of what they say is right.
Lots of people think that talking to a child should mainly be through questions and orders.
As a nursery teacher I had several children in my home group who could not speak properly at the age of rising 4 .One poor little soul didn't know he had a name that was his own.
Anything that helps make childrens early years better gets my vote

I have seen the advert on the buses, I hadn't realised that it had made it onto the TV. I guess if it is on during the Jeremy Kyle advert break then it might help.

In fairness they are running a breastfeeding awareness campaign that IMO is very good.

Or how about they help some enterprising Scots with an actual work ethic set up their own businesses and create some jobs and give the country a real economy????

Do your H.V.s give out learning bags?
They have books, crayons, info etc and are excellent.

amazonqueen - that is so sad.

Hmmm, perhaps the "Scottish Executive" have a point in thinking that the electorate are a bit thick as they haven't been the "Scottish Executive" for a while now but are in fact now the Scottish Government....

anyhow....

Can't comment on the ads cause I haven't seen them so don't know whether they are patronising/rubbish or not. There's no denying they like to spend money in a fairly reckless fashion, but I reckon anything that raises awareness of mental health issues has to be a step in the right direction.

Adverts are freaky.

Had a brief look at the website last month, all seems to be aimed at teeny tiny's in the east-end.

I agree that there is a need to educate a lot of parents, but really dont think the advertising campaign is necessary - complete waste of money that would be much better spent on the cause rather than promotion.

Oh and pacific - mission accomplished.

Oh, well done, geordie
<ends thread hijack>

sorry to say but YABU. Scotland (and Glasgow in particular) has some of the worst poverty & deprivation in Europe. The Scot Exec are just trying to help people get out of the poverty trap by reiterating education.

It may be obvious to you in a society where illiteracy is common, I think the Scot Exec are doing the right thing promoting speech and reading to your child.

It is the way they have made the advert which comes over as patronising and condescending and clumsy.
The message is good but they never seem to get the adverts right somehow.

Can't remember seeing the ads of which you speak. However, I agree that a breastfeeding one they did was the best form of bf promotion that I have ever seen.

Their ads about communicating with children and teens are fab, I think, and not patronising at all. I mean, I don't watch them and think, oh this is aimed at othe r people and not me.

Generally, their social marketing ads are pretty fine - the smoking and drinking ones aimed at teens for example.

but the rub is not all parents read to or nurture children.so whilst some may find it condescending (as they already do read) the ad isnt aimed at those parents

I have never seen these adverts which channel are they on?

linnet - i have only heard the radio ads.

Ah well I only listen to the radio in the car and it's either on Radio 1 or our local station, which I can't name for fear of outing myself, and I've never heard the advert on the local radio.

Janos "the "Scottish Executive" ... haven't been the "Scottish Executive" for a while now but are in fact now the Scottish Government...."

The 'Executive' is still the legal term. The SNP in power started saying 'Government' and it's been taken up in common usage by most politicians and media. But they are both still correct terms.

What's also true is that the Scottish G/E has a history of spending lots of public money on 'public service announcements' like this one. As a general rule they are exercises in stating the bleeding obvious....

scottish government = MSPs

scottish executive = civil service

Both exist.