Even primary school children now suffer from stress
Rushda:
October 12th, 2007
A new study on education has revealed the worrying result that even young children who are still at primary school experience stress and anxiety, the most popular reason being exams. The government has subsequently been criticised of overly-harsh testing which could account for some of the pressure children feel when having to take their SATs.
The research was conducted by Primary Review in Cambridge, where 750 people took part in answering surveys and having discussions. Professor Robin Alexander from the organisation is alarmed by the results:
“What people wanted to talk about was the stress of government tests, then life outside school, road safety, physical dangers, the sense young children are having to grow up too soon.”
Many of the children who researchers had discussions with were stricken with all kinds of worries including family breakdown, terrorism, violence, and even mature scientific topics like climate change. Lots of them did not feel safe, even around their own friends. Now most teachers and parents believe that children are being brought up to “grow up too soon” and are worried by how easy it is for children to feel unsafe. For example, a parent has said:
“I’m now thinking that I won’t let my child read the local newspaper because, I mean, yesterday there was something in it about someone being stabbed outside the swimming pool where he goes. I don’t want him to feel he is not safe.”
It is troubling to know that so many children now are not getting the best out of their innocent and carefree childhood - supposedly some of the best years of their lives, and it is difficult to know who is to blame. Some criticise the government for tests too mature for their age, whilst some believe that the problem lies in electronic gadgets and television. Many are simply pessimistic about the state of the world as it is today, and feel that it is unfortunate that children so young are affected by it.
October 12th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
[…] Rushda wrote a fantastic post today on “Even primary school children now suffer from stress”Here’s ONLY a quick extractA new study on education has revealed the worrying result that even young children who are still at primary school experience stress and anxiety, the most popular reason being exams. The government has subsequently been criticised of … […]
October 19th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
KIDS IN CRISIS! The Stalkie Solutions
• Are your Kids Performing Badly at School?
• Do they argue with their brothers and sisters?
• Do they talk back to you?
• Are police or teachers on the phone to you?
We have 5 proven strategies to solve these problems.
Of late there’s been a lot in the press about how stressed children are, and how the educational system is putting them under immense pressure from an early age. They have to take tests at 8 and 11 years old known as their SATS and from then on, they are inundated with exams.
My first question:
Do you want your child just to be able to pass exams, or to actually use their education in life; which is more important?
Second Question:
Do you want your child to be full of qualifications but without a personality; which is more important, your child’s values and principles (ie: integrity, trustworthiness and their character ethic) or whether they’ve passed a certain amount of exams?
Third Question:
Do you not want your child to love the day and in turn be an example in life of one that has gratitude and the right attitude for what they’ve got rather than what they haven’t got; or do you want them to just have qualifications?
Stalkie’s Tips for happier families:
1. DO NOT compare
By comparing your child to someone else you are introducing them to a scarcity mentality which means that there’s not enough success to go around, and therefore they will start to feel less valued and less self-esteem if they are not living up to your expectations. By comparing, you are initiating the process that the child does not feel good enough unless they are better than the people you are comparing them to. For example; if in class, there can only be one Number One, where does that leave the other 29 kids?
2. Look for the Good
If your child is last in the class, look for one thing in the exam that they’ve done right. Focus on that, praise them to the best of your ability and explain that everybody is different. Praise them on the one spelling they got right, rather than putting them down for the 9 that they got wrong. This will in turn give them belief that they could get two right next time.
3. Your child will only be the best they can ever be
Not everybody will be a brain surgeon; not everyone will be prime minister – love your child for who and what they are.
4. Look at the world through their eyes and have fun with them.
If your children like Xbox, don’t moan about the Xbox, play on the Xbox with them. If your children love puzzles – do puzzles with them. If your daughter likes listening to Mika, then listen to Mika, sing Mika songs with them and take them to see Mika. And, if your son likes to ride his bike, get a bike and ride with them. Get excited about what your kids get excited about, and share that excitement with them.
5. Lead By Example.
Remember that it’s example, example, example when bringing up children. If you shout at them, you are demonstrating that your behaviour is acceptable, and they will copy you. If you argue with your partner, you are demonstrating how to behave in relationships. Remember, when bringing up kids, you are raising your grandchildren, because they will follow the example that you are setting, when they come to raise their kids. Swap shouting with loving; swap criticism with praise; swap comparing to looking for the good, and remember how lucky we are to be blessed with our children.
Good Luck!
Stalkie
info@paulstalker.com
www.stalkie.com
April 1st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Gadget News
Britons get stressed without mobile phones: survey
Over half of Britons feel anxious when they lose their mobile phone, run out of battery or credit or have no network coverage, according to a survey published Monday.
More info - http://vodafonestores.blogspot.com/2008/04/britons-get-stressed-without-mobile.html