Busy Beavers

In the US it’s called hyper-parenting and while it hasn’t caught on to the same degree in Australia, there is evidence that over-scheduling our children happens here too. According to Professor Michael Bittman of the University of New England a busy schedule equals three or more structured classes or activities – such as kids’ gym, music lessons and dance classes – a week. But setting limits depends on the child.

“A busy schedule is a problem if the child doesn’t enjoy the activity or it does not allow for unstructured and free playtime, which is equally important,” Professor Bittman says.

While more than three activities may seem a lot of pressure for a young child, experts agree scheduling children’s activities has many benefits. A study of primary school children conducted by the University of Maryland found busy children did not have more stressful lives. Research carried out by Professor Bittman on 4- to 5-year-olds confirmed these results.

“Preschoolers who had many structured activities throughout their week displayed significantly increased language ability and were better prepared for school,” he says.

Explore a variety of activities to find the ones your child likes best. “Be guided by your child; if they’re tired and stressed, pull back.”

Treat fiends

Nutritionist Leanne Cooper of Sneakys Kid’s Nutrition says dietary guidelines classify treats such as lollies, chips, cakes and meat pies as “extra foods” and recommend children eat no more than one or two serves a day.

“Of course nobody’s life is perfect day in and day out, especially when we are talking about children,” Leanne says. “However constant over-eating of these ‘extra foods’ could lead to children who are nutrient deficient, fussy eaters with a poor diet as adults.”

If a child’s eating too much from the treat category of food, there’s less chance they’re eating enough of

the kind of food that supplies the nutrition they need.

“Treats are usually high in fat, sugar and salt, and are often associated with a lack of nutrients,” Leanne says. “However eliminating them from a child’s diet altogether is not realistic. Instead, limit how much treat food they get and how often they get it.

“If the basis of your child’s diet is wholesome and healthy for the most part, then the odd treat is not going

to have an adverse effect,” she says.

“The problem starts when children are constantly eating too much of these foods without restraint.”

Telly tots

We all know letting kids watch too much television is not good for their health and can lead to problems such as obesity. But most parents of toddlers will tell you that turning the television off can be a challenge.

There are currently no official Australian guidelines for television viewing in children aged under 5. But the American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines recommends children aged 2 to 5 spend no more than two hours in front of the television.

Nadia Corsini, research projects officer with the CSIRO, says too much television time in young children has an adverse effect on health because it impinges on time spent being active, encourages bad snacking and exposes them to television advertising.

“Parents need to exercise a little common sense and not be too prescriptive though,” Nadia says. “If on one day their child watches more than the recommended amount it’s not the end of the world. Instead, balance the viewing out over the week.”

Dr Anthony Okely, director of the Child Obesity Research Centre at the University of Wollongong suggests these tips to reduce viewing:
1. Don’t allow television sets in children’s bedrooms.
2. Encourage more interactive activities such as reading, talking, playing and singing in toddlers and peschoolers
to promote proper brain development.

3. Provide opportunities for alternative activity – make sport, hobbies and creative play a regular part of the day.

Praise Junkie

Surely you can never praise your child enough. But dishing it out at every turn will ruin the positive effect it can have, according to child psychologist Kimberley O’Brien from the Quirky Kid Clinic.

“Praise is great but needs to be balanced and given at the right moments or you end up with children who expect everything they do to end in a positive result, which is not reality,” she says.

Kimberley, whose clinic runs a parenting workshop titled Raised on Praise, says today’s society has become so politically correct that some kids’ sporting events won’t allow for a winning team and a losing team. These situations, she says, create unrealistic expectations in a child, who’ll get a rude shock out in the real world.

She adds that too much praise can create a child who is overly demanding of your attention, is dependent on positive results and may not try their best if they know that praise is the inevitable end result.

Cotton Wool Kidlets

The level of protection your child needs will change as they grow older, family counsellor Nichola Bedos says. “Obviously very young children have no ability to determine danger so they rely on their parents to keep them safe, however the problem emerges when parents are unable to let go of their growing child and allow them to explore their own independence.

“Parents have to be careful about over-protection because a child can pick up on separation anxiety and can also become anxious. And we know anxiety in early life can lead to anxiety and even depression in adulthood.”

Anxious children can become timid, shy and develop social phobias like a fear of meeting new people, Nichola says. This can be tough on them when they start school.

“Parents need to give children safe but effective opportunities to play and explore, and to learn to cope and self-soothe.”

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