Blog List

The latest Growing Up in Ireland report has recommended greater support for parents suffering with depression or stress. The report, based on the study of 11,000 children from the age of nine months since 2006, also found a need for more help for women at risk of giving birth to premature or low birth-weight babies. “Even from a very young age, the sensitivity that parents show when interacting...

One in four Irish children is now overweight or obese. This is one findings of the Growing Up in Ireland study and Safefood is now to launch a campaign to combat the growing obesity problem. The new campaign will focus on a number of practical steps parents can take to help their children lead a healthy life and avoid excessive weight gain. These steps include portion control, being active and...

Experts have claimed children who were born premature should start school a year late to give their brains more time to develop. Researcher Dr David Odd says: ‘It is easy to look at a premature child’s date of birth and think that is how old they are but they are not that old. ‘These children are going to school in some cases a year earlier than they would have done. ‘Development doesn’t...

Late or irregular bedtimes has been found to cause problems for children. The study, which excluded children with ADHD, Asperger syndrome and autism, found kids with late or irregular bedtimes displayed hyperactivity, behavioural problems, emotional difficulties and problems with peers as they got older. However, the research conducted at University College London also found that children who...

A new expert report has recommended that the free pre-school scheme be extended to two years. Currently, the terms of the scheme mean some children aren’t starting pre-school until they’re four-and-a-half years old. The Early Years Strategy proposes that the scheme is opened to children from the age of three, allowing them to benefit from two free years of pre-school. Other measures have also...

US researchers have found midday naps can help pre-school children remember what they learned that morning. Children who went without a midday sleep did worse on memory tests than those who napped. Those who napped saw no change in their morning score of 75%, but the ones who stayed awake fared worse, with an average score of 65%. Researchers are warning carers and nurseries that phase out midday...

Creches and preschool services will face new sanctions under legislation approved by Cabinet. Measures will include new powers for inspectors, an increase in fines and closure orders for crèches that fail to comply. Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald told the Irish Times that the new legislation will “give preschool inspectors greater flexibility to act speedily.” These new measures...