Latest news with #childwellbeing
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Feeling confident and in control when they're active boosts children's wellbeing
The wellbeing of children is under the spotlight in the UK, after a 2025 report from Unicef ranked the UK at 21 out of 36 wealthy countries on child wellbeing. With growing concerns about mental health, rising screen time, and fewer chances to play – as well as the well-known links between physical activity and better mood – one solution seems obvious. Get kids moving more. But our new research suggests that it's not just about more activity. It's about better experiences. Feeling safe, capable and free to choose matters is more important for children than just the number of minutes they spend running around. Our findings from a national study of over 16,000 children aged seven to 11 across Wales found that while physical activity is clearly important, its benefits for mental health were more connected to how children felt while moving than to how much they moved. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. We found that children who thought that they had control over how they were active, felt confident taking part in physical activity and believed they were good at it scored higher on wellbeing scales. These factors – autonomy, confidence and competence – were stronger predictors of wellbeing than more traditional measures like deprivation (normally we'd expect deprivation to positively or negatively affect wellbeing) or even total time spent being active. We also found that children who felt safe where they lived, no matter how wealthy or deprived the area, were more likely to feel happy and well. Yet too often, their chances to play and move are limited. Sometimes it's because adults worry about safety, and so don't permit children to roam or play in the potentially risky ways they might prefer. Other times, it's because the places around them just aren't built with children in mind. Interestingly, we found that knowledge of why activity is good for you – often taught in schools or health campaigns – was associated with lower wellbeing. This suggests that top-down, adult-led messaging that focuses on why physical activity leads to physical fitness or maintaining a healthy weight might be missing the mark. For some children, it could even feel like pressure. Messaging from schools and organisations may be harmful if they focus on outcomes rather than experience. The feeling of control or choice was strongly associated with better mental health and fewer behavioural issues. These findings echo what young people have previously told us: they want more opportunities to play, to choose how they move, and to enjoy being active without pressure. That's not to say movement doesn't matter. Children who moved more and sat less generally felt better about themselves. Less sedentary time was consistently associated with better wellbeing and lower emotional and behavioural difficulties. But again, it wasn't just the behaviour — it was the feeling behind it that mattered. Our analysis showed that the most significant predictor of low emotional difficulties was feeling safe. For behavioural difficulties it is feelings of autonomy and competence that played a key role. We also found that girls were more likely to report emotional difficulties (trouble controlling emotions or acting on feelings), while boys were more likely to experience behavioural ones (trouble controlling behaviour). This suggests a gendered difference in how wellbeing challenges show up. This tells us that supporting wellbeing isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. The more we can listen to and work with children to shape activity around their needs, the more likely we are to reach those who might otherwise miss out. For schools and youth organisations, this means rethinking how physical activity is promoted. Rather than more sports, more drills and more rules, children need inclusive, safe spaces where they feel confident to participate and free to choose. A simple solution to this could include longer breaks between lessons and more free time to play, or varied activities that cater to different interests and skill levels. It also means listening to what children say they need. In our previous research during the pandemic, children consistently asked for more time, safer spaces and permission to be active in ways that feel good to them. If we want to support children's wellbeing, we must shift from performance to participation. It's not just about how fast they can run or how long they can play. It's about whether they feel safe, capable, and in control. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Michaela James receives funding from ADR Wales. Mayara Silveira Bianchim receives funding from Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Paris's socialist mayor under fire for ‘cuddle-a-guinea-pig' project
Paris's socialist mayor has come under fire for approving funding for a €2,500 (£2,158) 'guinea pig-cuddling' project for children, along with a host of other 'wasteful' subsidies. Anne Hidalgo's town hall earmarked the money for the association Pat à Pas (Paw by Step), which says its mission is to promote wellbeing, fulfilment, and self-sufficiency through contact with nature, notably 'animal-assisted therapy'. The project entails hundreds of hours of sessions with children to feed, brush, and cuddle guinea pigs. Such animals are 'allies and facilitators' who accept humans for 'who they are, not who they should be,' it says on its website. Children are invited to reconnect with the rhythms of nature to 'rediscover our senses, the essence and meaning of our presence to ourselves, to others, to the world and to our future'. The organisation also conducts workshops in retirement homes and with the homeless. The funding was picked up by Citizens' Transparency, an association 'fighting against corruption and the misuse of public funds' in France. The group said it was appalled by the 'often opaque and ideological funding choices that are detrimental to the real needs of Parisians', among the €300 million (£259 million) the town hall is set to dole out to such initiatives in 2025. It has drawn up a list of 'daft' projects among those approved in the latest municipal council meeting last week. The group questioned the merits of the guinea pig projects, which Paris town hall has said said helps 'children's psychosocial skills (emotion regulation)'. Citizens' Transparency's post on X sparked a host of reactions. Bruno Tertrais, head of the Foundation for Strategic Research, an influential international security and defence think tank, wrote: '[This] or 100 days of meals for a homeless person, but it's up to you.' Another user wrote: 'We're broke, we're going to have to close nurseries ... But we'll still be able to cuddle guinea pigs.' Others suggested there was a more productive and satisfying way of spending the money on the cuddly pets. 'In Ecuador, it's much cheaper! I took a course to learn how to cook them, and it cost me the equivalent of €8 [£6.91]. Plus, it was a delight; I discovered that the pleasure of the taste buds is true therapy,' wrote one user on X. However, others were more supportive of the scheme. 'Everyone knows that animals help you feel calmer, more confident, etc. This project is far from daft,' wrote one. 'Glaring lack of rigour' As the online debate raged on, Citizens' Transparency listed other 'questionable' schemes receiving government funding. These included €5,000 (£4,316) for 'a radio [station] that only broadcasts in Eritrea'. 'While this independent radio is not without merit, should Parisians be the ones paying for a radio they cannot listen to?' the transparency group asked. A further €1,500 (£1,294) was set aside for 'gymnastics classes tailored to LGBTQI+ seniors' so that these 'remain affordable'. The group also took issue with handing €2,000 (£1,726) to 'social environmentalist' association Action Justice Climate. Behind the title, it said, lies a hard-Left group for whom 'ecology is the least of their concerns'. 'Their real fight is anti-fascism, pension reform, and promoting the New Popular Front (a Left-wing parliamentary alliance). Parisians, this is what you're funding,' wrote the group. 'These subsidies highlight a glaring lack of rigour and transparency in the management of public funds,' it contended. 'While Parisians face unprecedented economic pressures, elected officials must be held accountable for these choices.' The association has launched a petition, which has more than 700 signatures so far, calling for 'an immediate review of the criteria for awarding subsidies, giving priority to projects of proven public interest'. The petition demands 'full transparency on the use of funds, with public and verifiable reports', as well as 'an end to subsidies for ideological projects that contradict the principle of public service neutrality or have no measurable impact on citizens'. 'Public funds must serve all Parisians, not militant political agendas.' Paris' town hall last week approved €11.5 billion (£9.9 billion) in spending, including €1.75 billion (£1.5 billion) in investment. During heated debates, Ms Hidalgo blasted the government for imposing €275 million (£237 million) in extra levies in a bid to reduce the state deficit. But the Right-wing opposition responded that this was a fig leaf for the mayor's 'catastrophic' management, which it said would see the capital's debt 'explode' to hit a cumulative total of €9.3 billion (£8 billion) in 2025.
Times
30-06-2025
- General
- Times
We need to find out why family life is falling apart
F or generations it has been taken for granted that the family unit is the cornerstone of the local community and, more generally, of wider society. But in recent years, almost unnoticed, changes of fundamental importance have steadily had a substantial impact on the structure and nature of family life. Office for National Statistics figures show that the number of marriages has fallen by 40 per cent in less than half a century and the birthrate has now reached an all-time low of 1.44 children per woman. As Professor Kathleen Kieran wrote in 2022: 'As well as relatively more children being born into lone-mother families, Britain has high and increasing rates of parental separation.' So much so that 'families in Britain are notably more fragile and complex compared with other western European countries, with high and increasing rates of parental separation: 44 per cent of children born at the beginning of this century will not have grown up living with both their biological parents (to the age of 17), more than double the figure for those born in 1970.' Last month Unicef published a report concluding that the UK was 21st out of 36 countries in terms of the wellbeing of children. It may be significant that the number of children assessed as 'persistently absent' from school is stubbornly high at about 1.5 million. The number of young people not in education, employment or training aged 16 to 24 is now estimated at just short of one million. In addition, The Times reported last month that 'nearly a quarter of parents with adult children have seen them move back in to the family home only two years after leaving it', the average age of return being 26. As the population continues to age, and as more young people survive with profound disabilities, demands on family members grow. A House of Lords report estimated that there are between 4.2 million and 6.5 million unpaid carers in the UK, and the actual figure is likely to be much higher. The average person, it said, now has a 50 per cent chance of becoming an unpaid carer by the time they reach 50. The above examples simply touch on the many changes that are now affecting family life in this country. Allowing the current changes to drift on while being little understood and neglected is the worst of all possible actions. The time has surely come for the government to establish a serious study in the form of a Royal Commission to better understand the forces which are driving these changes in family life and to preserve those elements of family life we hold dear. Lord Laming was chief inspector of the social services inspectorate from 1991 to 1998
The National
24-06-2025
- Business
- The National
'Kinder Joy of moving' brings learning through movement to the UAE
Ferrero Gulf's Mauro De Felip shares how a global movement initiative is helping children in the Emirates stay active, engaged, and full of joy For parents today, creating opportunities for children to move with purpose and joy is essential. Kinder Joy of moving, a global initiative by Ferrero, was officially launched in the UAE in September 2024, with a mission to bring joy to children through moving – encouraging their natural inclination to be active, move and play. Mauro De Felip, Ferrero Gulf Managing Director, explains that the initiative is designed to support the well-being of children in a fun, engaging, and lasting way. ' Kinder Joy of moving is a Ferrero Group Social Responsibility Project,' explained De Felip. 'Its ethos is to instil a positive attitude – and joy – towards movement in children. The project grew out of the desire to help children become active for the long term, allowing them to live happier and healthier lives. It mirrors the broader Kinder philosophy: 'Happy children today will be better adults tomorrow'.' The Joy of moving Method Kinder Joy of moving is built on non-competitive, play-based activities that focus on physical fitness, motor coordination, cognitive functions and life skills. It is the result of the sharing and experience of various experts in their respective fields, including researchers, educators and trainers engaged in lifelong learning. The approach for Kinder Joy of moving is simple: Whatever the game, let joy win! This means that irrespective of the sports discipline, the playing field and the level of performance or ability of the child, Joy of moving lets the joy of movement win. The activities are playful, engaging and designed to be inclusive, ensuring that every child can participate, have fun, and grow. UAE Launch with Al Mawakeb Schools In September 2024, Ferrero Gulf partnered with Al Mawakeb Schools, a respected educational institution in the UAE, to introduce Kinder Joy of moving across three campuses, Al Garhoud, Al Barsha, and Al Khawaneej. The program has already reached 1,335 students from KG1 to Grade 6, with all involved PE instructors trained in the Kinder Joy of moving methodology. The results have been overwhelmingly positive, with schools reporting increased participation, improved student engagement, and a noticeable boost in classroom energy. A Global Program with a Powerful Reach The UAE now joins a worldwide movement. Kinder Joy of moving is active in 34 countries, has engaged 3.4 million children, and collaborates with 131 federations and associations. Since 2020, it has reached more than 303 million users on social media and has benefited from over €11 million in investment.
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Why you should NEVER criticise your ex in front of your children: Expert reveals why stars like Fern Britton and Kim Kardashian are right to be 'kind' about their former husbands
An expert has revealed why separated parents should never disparage one another in front of their children, after Fern Britton revealed she won't speak ill about her ex-husband Phil Vickery in front of their daughter. Many people will vent about an ex following a break-up, but doing so in front of your children can be a bad idea, according to Kate Daly, co-founder of leading online divorce services company amicable. Last week, Fern, 67, said she tries 'very hard' not to speak ill of her celebrity chef ex in front of her daughter Winnie, 23, who 'adores' her father And she's not the only star who has bitten their tongue despite a contentious co-parent relationship. Kim Kardashian previously said that she 'protects' Kanye West in front of their four children North, 12, Saint, nine, Chicago, seven and Psalm, six. 'My kids don't know anything that goes on in the outside world. I will protect that to the end of the earth,' she told the Angie Martinez IRL podcast. 'If we're riding to school and they want to listen to their dad's music, no matter what's going on I have to put a smile on face and act like nothing is going on'. Meanwhile, Katherine Ryan has said she won't speak ill of her ex Alex Elderman, who she shares 16-year-old daughter Violet with. Now Kate has told Femail that children are 'incredible perceptive' and 'take emotional cues from their parents'. She added that this aspect of co-parenting is often overlooked, but can leave a huge impact on children. 'Children are incredibly perceptive, and they take emotional cues from their parents,' she says. 'Speaking negatively about an ex in front of children can make them feel conflicted, for example that they are required to respond to the critique of the other parent and either agree with your criticism or defend their other parent. 'This is extremely anxiety-provoking for a child and leaves them feeling caught in the middle. 'It's important to remember that a child is made up of both parents – hearing one parent criticised can feel like a criticism of themselves.' Fiona Yassin, international family psychotherapist and founder of The Wave Clinic, added that while parents might think they are sharing information that will make their child feel safer with them, but this isn't true. She warns against parents using their children as confidants during difficult periods, as it can affect their relationships with other people in the future. 'If a child hears that their mum or dad has, for example, lied or had an affair, it does not just distil the child's trust in that parent, it also distils their trust in the world,' she explains. 'So if a parent confides in their child, they're not just disturbing their child's vision of that relationship, they're also disturbing their child's ability to trust the people they should be able to - in this instance, that's family. For some children, this may result in complex post-traumatic stress disorder (complex PTSD). 'Many parents believe that the more information they share with their child - in the hope of turning the child's emotions against the other parent - the safer that child will feel with them. 'This is, however, a complete misnomer. Children deserve emotional safety and if either parent is asking a child to take sides or continually running down the other parent, there is no emotional safety. ' Research shows that parental conflict, rather than the divorce or separation itself that puts children at higher risk of mental health and wellbeing problems, as well as negative relationships with peers. Kate says: 'Those children exposed to parental conflict are more likely to suffer emotional and behavioural difficulties or not to do so well in school. 'When parents bad-mouth each other, it can lead to confusion, loyalty conflicts, and stress for the child. In the long-term, this can affect their self-esteem, relationships (friendships and their romantic relationships in later life), and overall mental wellbeing.' Speaking badly of your ex can also damage your child's relationship with their other parent - or even with you. 'We see examples that carry on even into later where adult children may actively 'hide' their relationship with one parent from the other,' Kate adds. Even if you and your ex-spouse think you are doing a good job of hiding your conflict from your children, Fiona says it's 'important to understand that children pick up most of their clues about what's going on from a non-verbal basis'. This means your body language matters too. 'Whilst it's important to avoid arguing in front of the children, know that your non-verbal cues and the environment they're in will have an impact on your child,' Fiona explains. Kate advises keeping the focus on your child's wellbeing and to try and speak respectfully about one another if you can - or at the very least, speak neutrally, even if things are difficult. 'Avoid placing blame or sharing adult issues with your child – you wouldn't discuss intermarital issues with your child if you and your partner were together – so don't if you separate. 'If your child has questions, answer them honestly but age-appropriately but remember the boundaries. Think of it this way: every interaction is an opportunity to model emotional intelligence, kindness, and resilience.' Fiona also suggests being united with your ex on the topic of co-parenting. 'To move forward does not mean that you need to forgive, nor does it mean you need to forget. 'But it does mean that you need to put your parenting responsibilities above your relationship responsibilities. The divorce will dissolve the marriage, but it will not dissolve the biological basis of parenting.' If you feel stressed and upset with your ex, Fiona recommends using a journal to work through your thoughts and feelings about how you'd like to share and divide responsibilities with your children. 'Writing your thoughts down can help to clarify your thinking. Step away from your notes for a day or so and then come back to them when you're in a clearer headspace and are better able to make good decisions.'
