Emotional health and safety for children

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Many petty issues are increasingly addressed under the 'Health and Safety' umbrella. This article explores the need for the emotional wellbeing of very young children to be recognized and highlighted.

Health and Safety issues, when they apply to conditions at the work place - minimum temperatures, clean air conditions, safe mechanical conditions, smoke- free workplace and such like, are absolutely essential. There have always been people who exploit others for greed and gain, minimizing safety to make more money and, on the other hand, those who fight for equality and fairness. Concern for workers reaches far back in time. It is reported that Hippocrates, in the 4th century BC noted that lead miners tended to suffer from diseases.

Children used to work long hours in factories, up chimneys and down the mines. Life expectancy was limited for these a few centuries ago in Britain. Sadly child labor continues in parts of the world today. The Factory Act of 1833 in England banned the employment of children under 9 and restricted the working hours of older children.

The dire conditions of life for many children and teenagers in Britain in the past (and these conditions remain in the present day in some parts of the world) should not be forgotten by those growing up in today's liberal and permissive society. Today's teenagers should know about these aspects of history and realize their relative good fortune and also be reminded of the sacrifices of the many 18-21 yrs olds who have died fighting for their continued freedom.

If an accident happens and the conditions were dangerous and negligent then litigation is both reasonable and necessary for the victim - against the ones responsible. But in very recent years, 'health and safety' has taken a different turn, and now presents as an increasingly repressive role in simple childhood activities. It appears that many of these 'health and safety' issues are motivated more by fear of litigation than the welfare of those concerned.

Almost every day there is another ludicrous 'ban' in some area of the country - e.g. after very many years of tradition children couldn't sing carols in a shopping center at Christmas. Why? Because they could possibly block the way out of the center - in case it had to be evacuated. Children should wear goggles if they play conkers. They should NOT wear goggles in the swimming pool - the latter restricting those who actually need goggles to protect their eyes from the chemicals. Children should not run in playgrounds in case they hurt themselves in the process. And so the list is added to - daily. Yet, there are major issues which, in my opinion, need to be addressed urgently and which are ignored or accepted.

I worked as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist for 35 yrs, specializing in treating adults who had unresolved traumas, often from childhood events. The effects of the traumas were anxiety, depression - of varying degrees, and phobias. I treated many people who had been traumatized by accidents e.g. on the roads, or at work, or who had been involved in a disaster.

But I can say that never, in all my years of work, did I work with anyone traumatised by falling over and hurting themselves in a playground or such childhood activities. Yes, of course, children should be supervised to keep them safe - that is of paramount importance - but should be allowed to play games. Running about to release energy, keep fit and enjoy their play is essential to development in all aspects. Children have to learn how to run and not fall, how to take risks - but, with supervision, they learn to do activities safely. Unless lessons in life, including physical activities, are gradually taught and confidence learned, how is a child to become equipped to face adult life with its challenges? Some things can't be learned in the classroom or from books or suddenly 'known' when needed in adult life. Capabilities are built with trial, testing the boundaries and practice.

However, I did have very many patients who suffered anxiety from 'being or feeling lost' in early childhood, and from grief due to death or the disappearance of a parent. I saw many as adults who had been traumatized by bullying at school, or suffered abuse - whether physically, mentally or sexually. I saw those who had suffered stress from too high expectations and many who lacked confidence. I saw those who had been affected adversely from lack of love - real or apparent - from their parents.

Yet, where is the 'health and safety' fight on behalf of the emotional wellbeing of children?

Who makes a stand for the tiny tots (under two and a half yrs of age) in large nurseries all day - at an age before they can learn who people are or where they are and are 'lost'? Physically they may be looked after very well, but, and I speak as a psychiatrist, the potential for emotional trauma is overlooked. No one seems to bat an eyelid - as long as the young child is clean and well fed. Recent reports have questioned the actual safety for children in many nurseries, yet parents leave them there, frequently all day. I heard of parents recently who 'were not happy with how their child was being looked after at all-day nursery' but decided 'to wait another term'! What would that child have said, if he/she could?

These children adapt and learn to cope, as they have no option but to do so. But, in my opinion, they may pay a price and so will society. The capacity for deep and loving feelings, about themselves and others, is developed from birth. A child needs loving and gentle nurturing by a few people who love them. They do not develop a strong and resilient core identity if left with strangers all day, and if they see a parent for only an hour or two per day.

A friend was traveling on a train and listened to the conversation of the other women in the carriage - it became apparent that they had very young children who they saw for 30-40 minutes in a morning and put to bed at night. Is that what motherhood means? In the present climate of beliefs, with the importance of status, financial problems, career structures and hedonism, this is not uncommon. But, they have choice.

The tiny tots have no choice.

Many older children are going to school for breakfast and staying until after their evening meal - they literally just sleep at home. These hours away from home are, in my opinion, far too long. They may not be working in a factory or climbing the chimneys of old, but it is a form of 'work'. There is legislation for the maximum number of hours which adults work, why not for children being in 'compulsory' school 'care'? Many children do 'out of school' or early evening activities, and love them, but these are not compulsory or due to the parents being at work, but from choice. Therein is the difference. Many children don't even have the school holidays - but are sent to 'activities sessions' day in and day out and have no choice.

There is an underlying stress, however mild, when away from home - vigilance, an extra 'awareness'. Children should have time to play, read, be taken for walks, watch TV, be creative or literally, do nothing. The only children who should be compulsorily and without choice away from home before and after school hours are those whose parents are not fit to care for them, or if they are fortunate to be able to spend time with others who love them, e.g. grandparents.

Yet, there are no health and safety issues about these practices which are actually being encouraged by the government of the day. Is it 'do as I do' or 'do as I say'? Do the politicians who advocate nurseries for the under twos or prolongation of the 'at school' day behave to their children in the same way? I doubt it. If it is not suitable for their children then it is not suitable for any one else's. Some children eat all their meals at school - what happens to the 'family round the table' times, the continuous bonding as they grow older which will be invaluable in adult life?

My only wish is that those who make decisions for children - parents or those who legislate or dictate what should or should not be allowed - would do so with more understanding of a child's emotional needs and development. I prefer to think that ignorance plays a major role rather than political expediency where governments are concerned.

School holidays for parents, flexible working hours, part time training schemes and such like would enable parents to be parents rather than the ones who provide accommodation and food, while someone else is paid to do the 'child rearing'.

Children's emotional and physical wellbeing should be a priority, not second to material possessions of parents or for governmental votes. Government money can be spent for good or bad practice. There is no use trying different modes of learning, different curricula, or SATS in schools if children are stressed, unhappy, traumatized, 'switched off' or tired.

Children learn best when they are happy. It is the duty of the responsible adults - parents, teachers, carers to do their best to create that state of mind in the children for whom they care. Children need plenty of sleep, good wholesome food and rest from regimentation. They need 'breaks' from routine just as much as adults. They need to be read to, taken for walks and such like - activities that can cost very little in money terms but much more in time and effort. I have written a book, 'Growing Up', for parents to read to their children, giving simple messages of kindness, caring, courage and such qualities which lead to a happy and fulfilled life.

Children need parental time for caring, playing and learning the lessons which cannot be learned in the classroom - and before more parents lose the skill required. Parents need the time and inclination to spend time with their children - the government could help encourage this trend and make it possible, rather than providing other facilities where people 'stand in' for parents.

To those people, making petty restrictive rules and regulations under the 'health and safety umbrella', could I suggest that you learn about and concentrate on the issues that actually are important, damaging or potentially causing problems- the emotional issues.

Stand up for the tiny tots. Their emotional wellbeing is of paramount importance. Emotional harm has far reaching and lasting effects - I know as I worked in the psycho therapeutic field for 35 yrs. A bruised knee will be healed in a few days.

Copyright (c) A Coatesworth 2009

Dr Audrey Coatesworth was, for 35yrs, a Psychiatrist, and is now retired from medical practice.She specialized in psychotherapy, in particular the treatment of unresolved traumas. Her special interest in this field was the phenomenon of dissociation - related to traumas in childhood. Her articles are written out of concern, and from experience and knowledge.They are not research papers, but her opinion of relevant issues. She now writes. Her poetry books (three published so far - Growing Up, Coping with Illness and Grief, and Choice for Teenagers) are intended to continue her therapeutic work through the medium of rhyming verse and metaphor.

Other articles are written on EzineArticles on related subjects.

websites: http://www.audreycoatesworth.com.

She has created an interactive safe site for 7-13yr - which many children have visited and enjoyed the readings of poems, singing of songs and the stories: http://www.primaryschoolpoems.com.

Her new novel 'BEYOND MERCY' is a unique book,with links through the centuries. Is it fact or fiction? Time will tell. It is for sale in Autumn 2009 - information is found on her website. Visit the websites, learn more and buy the books.