Centre for Early Childhood

[Daisy]

As Grandmas and Great-grandmas we've been privileged to watch two/three generations of babies grow and develop. I'm sure we've all learned things about child development which we didn't know before - I certainly have.

To me it is the most important formative part of their lives but so many children don't have that happy, secure start.

I came across this news item - aimed at making more people aware of how important those early years are, and comparing it in importance with climate change. It made me wonder what changes would make the biggest difference to early childhood development.

What changes are most needed - what do you think?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57511122

[Plantaholic]

Quite a lot of the parents need help and education.

[Nanto2girls]

Plant, i agree with what you said.

[Daisy]

Plant - I'm certainly not disagreeing with what you say, but I wonder where parents can get the help and education they need, and do they know how important it can it is.

I remember feeling totally lost when my first baby was born. I had zero experience of babies. My mother couldn't help - she hadn't looked after me as a newborn and had no experience either. My MIL was far too tactful to do more than give me a Baby Book as a gift.

[Gemini]

When I had my first baby aged 21 I think I treated it like a job!
I loved kids and had looked after some, and knew how to change a terry nappy.

No Google or online support in our day. I would have thought it was easier in that way for today's parents. All the information and support on their phone or computer.

I so wanted to do well and be a good mum. I bought Dr Hugh Jolly's Childcare book and bought the then new 'Parent's' magazine every month and read it cover to cover.
I wasn't living anywhere near my mum or any friends until DD1 was 10 months old and I think I had it all cracked by then

I did set a lot of store by the current opinions in the books and magazines though, I don't know how it would have been if I had just gone on my own instincts.

Daisy, to answer your question, I think if more mothers didn't have to work full time it would help, both to understand child development and benefit the child. I know most have to work, but in those early months and years nothing beats quality time with a parent. I have always felt children should mostly with their mums (Or dads or grandparents) for the first three years.
I know this is a very outdated opinion, but it is my own!

[Daisy]

Gem - I don't think it's an outdated idea that children should be with their parents or grandparents for those first three years. I felt very torn that I was working when DS1 was a baby (quite unusual then), and I adjusted my hours as best I could to be with him. But our lives changed when he was almost 2 and I didn't really much after that until DS2 was three. I think the emphasis needs to be on ensuring that it is 'quality' time though. Some parents these days seem to spend more time on their phones than on their children, which is really sad.

By the way, you were way ahead of me on changing terry nappies. Also I couldn't understand why it was taking so long to bottle feed my baby - I didn't know that teats came with different sized holes and you needed larger holes as the baby grew.