Blog List

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...

Facebook has eased privacy rules for teen users, allowing 13 to 17-year-olds to post updates that can be seen by anyone. Currently, posts by users in this age range can only be seen by friends or ‘friends of friends’. The move comes at a time when cyber bullying and its horrific consequences are making headlines, resulting in calls for more protection for children and adolescents online...

Research by the Irish Cancer Society has found children are attracted to colourful cigarette packaging. The study of third class pupils in a Dublin school showed children found the packs appealing and were positive about “the bright colours and rainbow-coloured effects used” as well as the “fancy writing”. Approximately 80% of smokers start before the age of 18 and children in Ireland...

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...

Parents in Ireland and the UK are being warned about a shocking new 'choking game’ being played by teens following the hospitalisation of a teenage boy. It involves kids either engaging in self-strangulation or strangulation with a group of friends. Teens are literally putting something around their neck to the point where they faint or become unconscious. The experience apparently gives...

A number of Irish primary schools have been reaping the rewards of meditation time for students. Children are using it in the school yard during moments of conflict and other pupils say it has helped them ward off nervousness during exams. Teachers have noted the improvement in children’s concentration and say it has worked as an anger-management strategy. One principal even said meditation...

Heidi Klum says she believes parents rely too much on television to entertain their children. The model admits she’s banned her own kids from watching TV for long periods and encourages them to play outside as much as possible. Heidi says; “I’m old-fashioned, and I feel like technology ran away with everything. I don’t believe in setting your kids in front of something, always. I think...

A new study has found one in five songs in the UK Top Ten is glamorising alcohol. Today’s music is more likely to glorify drinking than songs from ten years ago and researchers warn that chart music could be encouraging children to drink. Many songs link alcohol with confidence, socialising or attractiveness rather than with hangovers and health problems. Researchers are calling for warning...

Nearly one in five parents say a school league table has influenced where they chose to live. New research has found almost one-quarter of UK parents with school children would be prepared to pay 2-10% more for a new home in the catchment area of a good state school. And while the link between high house prices and good school catchment areas is already know, this study found parents are making...

With a rise in the number of smartphones and tablets being used, free online games have become increasingly popular for children. However a new report has found some of these games have been pressuring children into buying extra features through in-app purchases. Many of these games come with the option of buying additional content and a new study by the Office of Fair Trading in Britain has found...