Researchers had been doing an experiment to investigate the four main questions and children are involved. Researchers do this experiment by observing children when they are having outdoor and indoor play. From the experiment, researchers stated that play brings a lot of advantages for children’s cognitive development and it is also important for ‘educational tool’. And, researchers have also stated that children will learn when they are giving an informal play and it defined as play if they are free. For example, when children play without adults’ controlling. Researchers have observed that play gives opportunities for children to develop language and social skills, gross and fine motor skills through play and the more important thing is play also related to children’s self-esteem, emotional wellbeing and resilience. Research has stated that play cannot be completely separated from learning and adults should not only see the results but adults should value the process. Studies had indicated that video games actually bring benefit for children’s physical benefits. Children tend to have quickened reaction time and video games can increase children’s tolerance to frustration. Some researchers stated that the full potential of play can only be unlocked by adults while the other researchers stated that children’s play does not need adult supervision because researchers believed that children will learn something, for example, decision making when adults do not supervision them. 

 

Researchers have stated that play does really play an important role in both children’s life or later life as play is one of the highest achievements of human species, alongside language, culture and technology. And, it is true that without play, none of the achievements would be possible. 

This article used a quantitative research method. A survey of children was conducted; this took place in 2012 and the children ranged from 5-17 years old. The survey was carried out to compare male Vs females and what percentage of children were either overweight or morbidly obese. This study also examined social, economic and lifestyle factors. 

The Australian health survey released results that revealed 25.3% of children were overweight and 17.7% were obese. The survey also stated that females in the 5-17 age group measured to be a higher percentage for obesity as opposed to males. Results also shown that children with a low or medium household socio economic status, no or infrequent consumption of breakfast are most likely to suffer with obesity. 

This studies in this article have highlighted the importance if tackling childhood obesity at an early stage in life. Findings also demonstrate the strong association of childhood obesity with family background and socio economic statuses.

The longitudinal research study took place in five children’s hospitals in five German cities. The research article included 1314 children born in 1990, followed from birth to the age of seven years. 499 of these new-borns were at risk for atopy (tendency to be hyper-allergic) or at least two atopic family members and 815 of these were without any risk factors. This gave the study a clear indicate on whether this had an effect or not.

The study was assessed longitudinally by parental questionnaires, along with a bronchial histamine challenge at age seven years. 

The results were compared with children with 1 episode of a runny nose before the age of 1 year, than those with 2 episodes were less likely to have a doctor’s diagnosis of asthma at age 7. Similarly the results showed that having one viral infection of the herpes type in the first 3 years was associated with asthma at age 7.

Results suggest that repeated viral infections other than lower respiratory tract infections early in life may stimulate the immature immune system.

This research article assessed its information very early in life via parental reports which is possible that the data collected may be incorrect or incomplete.

 

There are now 60.8% of women employed in the workforce (CSO, 2008). This means there are now many changes for children, parents and families.

 

This research article used qualitative methods to find their results. Twenty seven childcare managers in the north west of Ireland were interviewed. Also, three hundred and twenty five questionnaires were completed by working parents. 

 

Babies as young as four months are being cared for in childcare facilities from 6.45am until 6pm daily, five days per week. Some children are spending up to eleven hours per day in childcare facilities. 

 

The study concluded that full day care can have both positive and negative effects for children. Childcare facilities are providing good quality childcare encompassing various services but many parents are finding it difficult to manage a work life and home life balance. 

 

Two hundred and thirty five (73%) parents reported being stressed. The study also found that three hundred and fifteen (97%) of the working parents feel that the government is not doing enough to support working parents. 

 

However, on a positive note, two hundred and forty one (74%) parents said that they are happy, in general, with the quality of life for them, their family and their children. 

A limitation in relation to this study is that this study only took place in the north west of Ireland. Therefore, it can not be said whether parents in other areas of the country feel the same. The article also does not state how many children each family has, nor how old the parents are. This could also have a knock on effect on how parents feel about having their children in childcare facilities.

Studies were done on 200 children in the Republic of Ireland and collected between the year 2002 and 2012. Database and reference searching as well as contact with obesity experts were undertaken. 

From this research they found that childhood overweight rates had remained stable but national obesity rates dropped from a 7% to 4% after 2008. One in 50 children was shown to be morbidly obese, but there was no significant change in the prevalence of morbid obesity. 

The studies carried out in this article show prevention strategies need to be put in place or intensified to tackle the issues with childhood obesity which has not been done in recent years. Although some of the findings did show childhood obesity in Republic of Ireland were stabilising still one in four Irish children are obese, which shows childhood obesity will remain a priority in the future. 

Baby swimming is a programme that any child from as young as new born can partake in. The programmes usually run in terms of 6-12 weeks, and the child can continue on for as many terms as the parents decide. Studies shown that by taking part in a baby swimming programme the child will benefit from this in the years following the programme. A range of motor abilities were examined in 4 year old children, and it found that children who had taken part in the baby swimming programme had greater abilities in terms of prehension and balance. It also found that these children were less likely to be overweight if they had stayed active since the programme. Not only does it have these benefits for the child’s physical health, it also helps mental health, bonding between the parent and child, and confidence. 

After results from the studies, it shows that by taking part in this programme there are many positives for a child which will help them in many ways for the years following the programme.

Parents are bribing their children with unhealthy treats daily to ease difficult situations, a new report shows. The research, which was conducted by food safety watchdog, Safefood, found that over 40% of parents give their children an unhealthy treat at least once or more a day. 

The research was carried out to coincide with the final year of Safefood’s three year campaign to tackle everyday habits which can lead to childhood obesity.

“As parents, we need to break the bad habits of giving these every day as it’s now become the norm and not really a ‘treat’ anymore,” Foley-Nolan added.

The report found that 73% of parents in Ireland didn’t consider foods like crisps, chocolates and sweets on a daily basis as a treat.

Safefood is urging parents to reconsider giving children such treats once or more a day.In the report, parents who reduced the amount of treats their children ate, found the most popular methods were cutting back to weekends only (30%), buying smaller sized treats (23%) and restricting treats to every other day (23%).

The report also found that 50% of Irish children five years and under are given unhealthy treats at least once or more a day.

With Safe food running television campaigns and posters their aim is to change the amount of unhealthy food that children eat.