Eric Clark's prescient article on toy marketing (Special Report, 15 March) admirably continues the growing global movement against the crass commercialisation of childhood recently highlighted by the 'Compass' report. These pernicious trends are surely substantially responsible for the premature 'adultisation' of children and the profane degradation of childhood, which are blighting the current generation of children. Britain's shocking performance in the recent Unicef report of children's well-being is perhaps the most dramatic symptom of this modern malaise. Especially relevant to early childhood workers is Clark's informed challenge to the technologising of early learning. Early learning is far more effective and appropriate when experienced in real (not 'virtual') human relationships; and it is now clear from Dr Aric Sigman's recent research report that televisual technologies damage young children at many different levels u neurologically, socially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We all have a grave responsibility, as parents, professionals and policy-makers, to inform ourselves about the profound harm that this poisonous materialistic culture is doing to young children, and to protect them from its most toxic excesses.
Eric Clark's prescient article on toy marketing (Special Report, 15 March) admirably continues the growing global movement against the crass commercialisation of childhood recently highlighted by the 'Compass' report. These pernicious trends are surely substantially responsible for the premature 'adultisation' of children and the profane degradation of childhood, which are blighting the current generation of children. Britain's shocking performance in the recent Unicef report of children's well-being is perhaps the most dramatic symptom of this modern malaise.
Especially relevant to early childhood workers is Clark's informed challenge to the technologising of early learning. Early learning is far more effective and appropriate when experienced in real (not 'virtual') human relationships; and it is now clear from Dr Aric Sigman's recent research report that televisual technologies damage young children at many different levels u neurologically, socially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We all have a grave responsibility, as parents, professionals and policy-makers, to inform ourselves about the profound harm that this poisonous materialistic culture is doing to young children, and to protect them from its most toxic excesses.
This 're-enchantment' of childhood will require a systematic 'de-toxing' of children's lives (see Sue Palmer's book Toxic Childhood), with fearless and concerted challenges necessary at every level - from the day-to-day life choices we all make, to refusing to implement statutory governmental diktat when we deem it to be harming young children, and through to relentlessly exposing the values and anti-child practices of corporate capitalism.
With so many vested interests involved, Nursery World has performed an important service in courageously bringing these issues to such prominent attention.
* Dr Richard House, Roehampton University and Norwich Steiner School.
