Open EYE launches network to 'save childhood'

Open Eye has launched the Saving Childhood Network, a movement to combat 'the profound erosion of natural childhood'.

It follows the publication of 'Too much, too soon?' and a letter to a national newspaper last week, signed by more than 200 early years educators, academics and policymakers, calling for action against the 'erosion of childhood.'

• The human rights of the young child as a natural and joyful learner are fully acknowledged
• Early years is recognised as a unique stage in its own right
• Children are protected from all developmentally inappropriate pressures
• There is a system of rigorous investigation into the effects of screen technology on cognitive and emotional development
• Children have the freedom to directly experience and learn from the natural world
• All commercial marketing aimed specifically at children under seven is ended
• Challenge policies that compromise and over-regulate natural risk-taking and creative problem-solving

The Open EYE campaign started five years ago, initially in protest against certain elements of the original EYFS, which was criticised for introducing formal learning too soon and for being overly focussed on assessment.

It has now grown into a wider movement, in line with increasing concern about the pressures of modern life on children's development and well-being.

The campaign's launch follows a damning report by UNICEF on the impact of 'compulsive consumerism' among British families, which called for the banning of advertising during television programmes for children under 12.