To think there needs to be a public inquiry into child development

[MaryMaryVeryContrary]

It really seems like we have a looming societal crisis in terms of child development and therefore the quality of the public in 10-20 years time. Experienced teachers across the board seem to be reporting an overwhelming increase in delayed, aggressive and disruptive children. I’m extremely worried about how this will impact society when they become adults - it seems (as a guess) at least a tenth of children will be incapable of work of any kind, and many more will need copious amounts of support to live any kind of responsible life.

AIBU to think we need an urgent public inquiry into this and what is going on? It seems to be the elephant in the room and anybody who tries to discuss it is shouted down.

I’m sure some of it is due to cuts in services but surely that can’t account for it all - it’s very sudden and extremely alarming.

There are parents putting an iPad in front of their child every meal time, I don't think we need a public enquiry to figure out why so many kids have zero attention span. I'm sure they'll be lots of parents ready to defend screen time and tell me I should be burnt at the stake, but let's set aside our own feelings and be honest.

Ironically the schools are giving them iPads from an early age for school work, it's an utter joke,

As someone who has worked with children of all ages during my career, I strongly suspect that any inquiry would come back with two main points; decline in parenting and overuse of screens. There would of course be other reasons and causes but in my experience these really are at the heart of the matter.

Personally, I would be very interested to investigate the link between the two;
how much has technology contributed to a decline in parenting.

My 6 year old year 1 has 2 classes with about 60 kids. They're are 3x121 jn each class and many others with clear needs going through assessment.

I agree. And buggies with tablet holders-wtf?

I'm betting phones and tablets are a big part of it.

I think poor parenting has a big influence - not telling kids “no” anymore, giving them too much choice, over explaining things they probably don’t understand, too much screen time and arranged activities.

Kids don’t use their brains as much now because they don’t need to and they aren’t given the same chance to make their own mistakes/problem solve. It’s all very sad.

Similar experience here.

I sat in local library working my way through a stash of likely books to borrow.

A woman with push chair was browsing her way round the Crime section. Small child strapped into the buggy, hood pulled over, with iPhone up to their face. Completely cut off from the outside world & any interaction with other people. Just sad to see.

Childrens’s library just 30 feet away, a world of books & stuff to explore.

Our Librarian told me that when a school class visits the childrens’s library, it is all too clear the children who have been brought to the library before by parents/childminders as they crack on with looking around for books of interest.

IMO the education system in this country is not fit for purpose. It's why I home ed my DC.

I think we need to take a massive look at a generation of kids being raised by screens, pandered to by parents who refuse to support schools in dealing with poor behaviour and who are fed a diet of mostly food that isn't even food.

If the West aren't careful, we are going to continue in this decline that much of the World isn't seeing.

I've been out for playdates with 2 toddler mums where when going to a cafe for lunch they just whacked out a phone /tablet and stuck YouTube on for their kid as apparently that's the only way they'll eat anything. So no interaction with anyone else sat round the table including my child of the same age, and no learning about sitting in a cafe and how you behave without a screen to occupy you. Makes it difficult for me as my DD has never used a phone or tablet and wants to know why she can't watch peppa pig in a cafe too. Presumably children managed to eat before they had screens, I don't remember it being an issue when I was a kid.

To me it’s fairly obvious that primary school funding and upper management is the issue, or at least a really significant one. I have witnessed many of these ‘problematic’ children only having issues at school rather than at home, and then the behaviour evaporating when they enter ‘better’ schools. Children will mirror each other’s behaviour, they will absorb the class culture and then there is little the class teacher can do to derail that culture.

I’m pondering benign neglect. Two parents working as standard. When those parents are around they are busy with other things so still not around. It strikes me that they are key points in a child’s life. Not interacting enough in those early stages must be damaging to future development.

Then add in everything else we know…

Actually, @MaryMaryVeryContrary, I would say the last thing we need is a public enquiry - it will take ages to set up, drag on for years taking evidence, eventually it will produce a report and then the government of the day will drag their heels on implementing it.

What is needed is for the government to assemble a small group of experts, to produce recommendations within a month or two, with a pledge that the recommendations will be implemented, and funded.

My dad was never home between 7-7 and when he was on weekend he hid behind the newspaper. My mum was constantly reading library books, and yes she did take us to the library, we weren’t allowed in the children’s section as she was only interested in her needs. Same as screens really, we weren’t allowed to interact or we were put out to play in the garden if we annoyed them too much. We played with the neighbours kids, usually in the gardens, when older a little out the front, but not the roaming the streets childhood. So there’s some social interaction there, so maybe it’s not screens it’s the lack of playing out ?

Not sure if this is relevant, but the age of first time parents is increasing. Research shows a big link between developmental conditions like autism, ADHD and having an older father.

Could older fathers be a contributing factor? Would love to see this studied more

I read a study not long ago about neurodiversity being part of the evolutionary print . Not as in how humanity will end but as a step to the next human species . I wonder if there is some sense to it . As you say in my child’s very small school o er 10% of the children are neurodiverse

There's a huge link with neuro diversity and older fathers. Age of first time parents also increasing

Shite parenting and everybody too scared to upset others. That’s why.

https://hms.harvard.edu/news/autism-evolution

Also lack of community. Back in the day lots of wonderful adults were involved in raising a child. As people had them younger there were swatches of extended family along with friends and associates. We are all so split now. Little children being raised by employees in nurseries. It’s just not the same. Most of these staff members are young and underpaid. Dragging themselves to work and tolerating the kids. Children need to be nurtured. Feel loved and valued. I’m not convinced that can come from a work environment.

Kids in childcare 10 hours a day from 6 months of age.

School kids being in wrap-around care so still out the house for 10 hours.

Shattered, full-time working parents.

Lack of quality family time.

Kids doing 101 out of school activities so they have no time to relax.

Very limited time for outdoor play with friends.

Too much screen time.

Schools/parents unable to discipline the children effectively due to fear of the repercussions. Children know they have the upper hand when it comes to this.

So many reasons….

It all boils down to the Rat Race though and parents being exhausted, stressed and broke.

Agree.

But also, what parks?

Obviously that's hyperbole, but a lot of public playing spaces are being flattened in favour of housing development.

I don't drive but I've always lived in the same area and 10-20 years ago there were 5 play parks of varying sizes within walking distance. Now we have to get in a car and drive, because there are no direct bus routes either.

There is so little to do in public spaces any more that there isn't even the option to choose going to the park over leaving behind home technology.

Haven't rtft yet (but I will) but I personally think misguided safeguarding is partly to blame. Kids used to be sent out to play where they learn basically every life skill they need and develop a healthy body and mind. Unsupervised outdoor play is the answer. Of course there are certain risks but if you are to look at any other aspect of life the risk is weighed against the good. I recently read a poster state proudly she had never let her 11 year old play outside without her. He is at the end of childhood and has never experienced carefree play. Overprotective and anxious parents are often congratulated as being good parents, when they are in fact failing in their role. Of course there needs to be some reasonable limits but send them out and they'll come home when hungry. (For dinner, not snacks).

If child neglect through attention was the reason then the previous generations would be much worse . Let’s be honest our parents where left to ethic own devices since they where young and had no care

It's a perfect storm really.

Near constant technology in every aspect of life
Parents glued to phones during free time/days out/in restaurants

Both parents working full time

Over explanation of everything instead of expectation
Zero conversation leading to dumbing down and lack of social skills

Finally, the breakdown of any significant discipline and structure across the board.