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Hyperactivity can be useful – especially if you’re a mother – Family News & Advice | Parenting, Marriage & Kids | The Irish Tim – Tue, Sep 24, 2013

September 26, 2013

Peter Singhatey Irish News ADHD, Education, Ireland, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Hyperactivity can be useful – especially if you’re a mother – Family News & Advice | Parenting, Marriage & Kids | The Irish Tim – Tue, Sep 24, 2013.

‘A weight off my shoulders” is how Monaghan-based artist and fashion designer Helen Steele describes the day six years ago when she was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Today is ADHD Awareness Day, which aims to highlight the positive aspects of the condition and its link with creativity and sport.

ADHD is a genetic condition that is caused by a balance of chemicals in the brain that is different to that of the average person. It affects an estimated 60,000 children in Ireland, with the majority diagnosed between the ages of five and seven.

This misunderstood psychiatric condition leads people to assume that a child’s hyperactive and erratic behaviour is down to bad parenting.

Research by HADD, the Irish support group for people living with ADHD, found that more than six in 10 parents of children with the condition feel it isn’t properly recognised by society. Some eight in 10 parents of children with ADHD feel judged by other parents.

But Steele is “quite proud to wear the ADHD label”…

Parents will receive training on bullying | Irish Examiner

September 16, 2013

Peter Singhatey Irish News Bullying, Education, Ireland, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Parents will receive training on bullying | Irish Examiner.

Adults will be expected to teach children about the problem behaviour after attending courses paid for by the education department. A total of 40,000 euros are earmarked to deliver sessions for parents by the end of the year.

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) estimates up to 40% of nine-year-olds have been victimised.

Education minister Ruairi Quinn said: “Bullying is not a problem schools can or should be left to tackle alone. Parents, families and the wider community have an important role to play in tackling all forms of bullying and in teaching children how to manage relationships, be resilient and have empathy for others.”

The minister said the anti-bullying parent training programme will be available nationwide. It will be a two-and-a-half hour session that helps parents support their children with issues of bullying and informs them about new anti-bullying procedures for primary and secondary schools…

Children of 10 are ‘saving for university’ | Money | The Guardian

May 9, 2013

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Children of 10 are ‘saving for university’ | Money | The Guardian.

Children as young as 10 are already saving up for key milestones in their lives such as university, buying their first home or starting a business, a report has found.

The tough economy has produced a generation of financially savvy children, many of whom are more switched on to savings than their parents were at the same age, according to the findings from investment provider Scottish Widows.

With university tuition fees and finding the money for a house deposit still some years away, 11% of children said they had already begun saving towards the cost of college, university or buying a home.

A further 6% said they were saving up for a car – while an entrepreneurial 2% were putting money aside to start their own business.

However, toys, games and gadgets remain children’s saving priorities, with 48% of youngsters saving up for this purpose…

Children who walk to school ‘are ahead of the rest’

April 30, 2013

Peter Singhatey Irish News Education, Exercise, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Children who walk to school ‘are ahead of the rest’ – Family News & Advice | Parenting, Marriage & Kids | The Irish Tim – Tue, Apr 30, 2013.

Post Celtic tiger, walking to school might seem a nice alternative to being dropped at the gates daily in a gleaming 4×4. But apart from the obvious physical benefit of a bit of basic exercise, is there another advantage to making our children exercise their bodies? Apparently so. It also helps them exercise their brains.

A recent Dutch study of 20,000 children aged 5-19 proved that those who cycled or walked to school performed better on tests demanding concentration, the effects of which lasted up to four hours after they began the school day.

The study showed that the impact of early morning exercise was greater than the effect of diet – including a good breakfast. But more than the short-term impact of improved concentration, the research showed that the cumulative effect of walking or cycling to school was the equivalent to someone half a year further on in their studies…

Ireland is 10th best country to be a child but poverty gap is widening

April 14, 2013

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Ireland is 10th best country to be a child but poverty gap is widening.

Unicef cited Ireland as the 10th best place in the world to be a child in a league table for child wellbeing in 29 industrialised countries. Its report card found that, while Ireland has a relatively low child-poverty rate of 8.5pc, those who do fall below the breadline fall harder than in 25 other countries – giving Ireland one of the largest child- poverty gaps. The data, calculated in 2010, will be launched at a meeting of international experts in Dublin who aim to end child poverty within the EU…

Globally, the Netherlands retained its position at number one, followed by Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The UK was 16th on the report card.

iPad use in schools ‘worsens bullying problem’ – Independent.ie

March 18, 2013

Peter Singhatey Irish News Cyberbulling, ipod, Ireland, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

iPad use in schools ‘worsens bullying problem’ – Independent.ie.

While the digital revolution is being welcomed in schools, it will “put weapons in the hands of pupils”, an Oireachtas committee was told.

Cyber security expert Paul C Dwyer said such technology could be used for the wrong reasons, such as taking pictures and using them inappropriately.

“This is like a viral epidemic; you think you have a problem now,” he told the committee on transport and communications.

Mr Dwyer was among representatives from the National Anti-Bullying Coalition addressing the latest in a series of committee hearings on the challenges arising from irresponsible use of social media.

He said there was a need for a holistic approach to dealing with the range of online threats, including cyber predators…

Children ‘collateral’ victims of drink sector sport sponsorship | Irish Examiner

March 15, 2013

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Children ‘collateral’ victims of drink sector sport sponsorship | Irish Examiner.

Children are the “unfortunate collateral damage” of sports sponsorship by the drink industry, a seminar on alcohol has heard…

Ms Ryan said alcohol sponsorship was “not altruistic”, but a calculated trade off: “You give us access to the young male markets and in return we give you money. Are we willing to accept this trade off? The unfortunate collateral damage are children.”

She said alcohol had become so normalised in shopping that it was pushed as “just another grocery”.

Prof Barry of Trinity College Dublin said there was a growing view in society that something had to be done, but he added: “There is no evidence to show that is shared by the Government. That’s the worrying matter. Politicians have done very little; they have done a disservice to the State.”

Taoiseach makes historic apology to Magdalenes

February 19, 2013

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Taoiseach makes historic apology to Magdalenes.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has apologised to the women who spent time in the Magdalene laundries.

In an emotional speech, which was greeted by loud applause, Mr Kenny said: “This is a national shame for which I say again I am deeply sorry and offer my full and heartfelt apologies.”

Opening the Dáil debate tonight on the McAleese report, Mr Kenny said the Magdalene laundries were reserved for what was offensively and judgementally called fallen women.

The women, he added, were wholly blameless.

He added: “I, as Taoiseach, on behalf of this State, the Government and our citizens, deeply regret and apologise unreservedly to all those women for the hurt that was done to them, for any stigma they suffered as a result of the time they spent in the Magdalene laundry.”…