Creche toys and TV are not what toddlers need
Is it any wonder that by the time they become teenagers they are bored.
From an early stage parents are putting their children in creches where their only stimulation is toys and TV.
To make matters worse, parents seem to think that creches do not adversely affect children.
Just think how you would be if you spent eight hours or more in a confined space with only toys and TV.
Children want to be with their parents who, for whatever reasons, feel they have to work full-time. Fine, but let's not kid ourselves that creches are better for children. Then, as soon as they can walk, children are sent to playschool; you now feel the odd one out if you don't send your child.
There they will have the same experience at an age when they are at least a little more receptive to school.
Again it's time spent away from parents, with toys, etc., as substitutes.
And all schoolgoing children are running here and there at the end of the day what with hobbies, homework clubs etc yet more time spent away from home. Parents are appeasing their consciences by giving their children computers and TVs in their bedrooms, but they are not present to deal with emotional problems.
Often they are too tired and stressed out to deal with misbehaviour.
Creches are mushrooming. They are even taking over from the personal care of a babysitter, neighbour or granny.
Maybe we need to support and encourage parenting not the institutionalising of our children.
Kathleen Dennehy,
Reallen,
Kiskeam,
Mallow,
Co Cork.
