When it comes to encouraging children megaphone parenting is not what's needed

Helen O’Callaghan says children need to be encouraged to do well in school and sport but it’s all too easy for ambitious parents to go into overdrive.

IN 2011 a Yale law professor wrote Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, a clarion call on raising children to succeed. The controversial bestselling parenting bible detailed Amy Chua’s threats to punish her two daughters — including burning their soft toys — if they didn’t do well at school or keep up piano practice.

The tough-love approach delivered impressive results: her eldest daughter performed in Carnegie Hall aged 14, the second got straight As.