AI TEDDIES
Technology is now capable of generating customised stories for children including their name, school attended and friends names. Teddy bears could be fitted with this technology. However concerns have been raised about predators hacking into their smart devices and also that for children it could distort a child’s ability to discern between reality and fiction.
LOCKDOWN FUELLED EATING DISORDERS AMONG GIRLS
Research published in The Lancet suggests that COVID lockdown fuelled a 42% surge in eating disorders amongst teenage girls. The study of more than 1800 GP practices found a staggering rise in newly diagnosed cases with similar increases in self-harm.
Researchers from Manchester University said social isolation, anxiety from changing routines, more time on social media and disruption of education during lockdown appeared to have increased stress among teenage girls.
CHILDREN SHOULD READ 12 HOURS TO BOOST THEIR PERFORMANCE
A Cambridge study has found that reading for pleasure increased the size of children’s brains, improved cognitive ability, supported good mental health and could lead to better grades.
For best results children should read for 12 hours every week.
The study of 10000 children in the USA found that children who started reading at a young age had superior brain structure and function in their teens.
Professor Barbara Sahakian co-lead author of the study said ‘Reading isn’t just a pleasurable experience- it’s widely accepted that it inspires thinking and creativity, increases empathy and reduces stress.’
Reading for less than 12 hours the brain is not being fully nurtured, but any more time spent reading the child starts to suffer a decline, perhaps due to being sedentary for too long.
BENEFITS OF DAYTIME NAPPING
According to research recently published habitual napping appears to be associated with a larger brain volume in adults. Some scientists have suggested that such naps might offer some protection from neurodegeneration.
Naps are best kept brief about 20 minutes – sleeping too long can make you feel worse and result in sleep inertia.
Taking a nap before 3pm can help to avoid problems of sleeping at night.
Dave Vizard's Behaviour Solutions 