Press Releases
25th January 2006
What children really think
Research announced today by the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) reveals the thoughts of over 1000 primary school children on whether their parents are fun to spend time with and what tips they might give to make time spent together more fun.
85% of children thought their parents were fun to spend time with but they also provided frank, honest and, of course, funny tips to help parents maximise the fun potential in the time they spend with their children.
A list of the ‘Top Ten Tips’ – which come directly from the children questioned, will be released at Toy Fair, providing a fascinating insight into the thinking of children in the UK. This research gives us all a chance to find out what our children really want to do and how they want to spend their time.
Child psychologist and founder of www.raisingkids.co.uk Dr. Pat Spungin has worked with the BTHA to produce ‘Solutions Through Fun’ - a booklet offering parents tips and hints on how to make best use of their time together, using fun¹ and play² in everyday family life. All of the tips and suggestions have come from children not adults. One child commented, ‘Just enjoy yourself and go bonkers!’ and another said, “Be relaxed and chilled and have a good time because life is short.”
Dr. Spungin commented: ‘Whether you have five minutes or a whole evening, your children will benefit by you just being there. What adults may find dull, children find fun – such as cooking, playing games and washing the car. Embrace their curiosity and excitement, even it means spending half an hour making imaginary cakes for the fairy at the bottom of the garden.’
The BTHA hopes that ‘Solutions Through Fun’ can be used as a tool to improve time spent with children without preaching to parents. After all, the research shows that a vast majority of children enjoy the time they have with their parents. Dr. Spungin added: ‘Many parents feel guilty about the lack of time they have to do activities with their offspring. They shouldn’t. Most children – and the BTHA research highlights this – are happy having unstructured playtime with friends, siblings and parents. What may seem like a mundane job to a parent can provide fun, laughter and great play opportunities for children.’
Children’s Top Ten Tips:
- Parents to spend one on one time together with children. Make time to play, spend more uninterrupted time together, give each child special time.
- Go to the park and play sports together such as football, cricket, catch and go on bike rides together.
- Play board games, cards or puzzles as a family.
- Dad to not go on the computer as much and for mum to not do as much housework.
- Play active games such as piggy in the middle, chase, hide & seek and skipping.
- Days out together to the zoo, museum, theatre, cinema or bowling.
- Bake & cook together
- Make things and do arts & crafts such as painting, pottery, write stories or make facemasks.
- Parents come home from work earlier
Joint 10:
- Be funny, playful and silly by telling jokes, be more impulsive, laugh more & jump in puddles.
- Watch TV/DVD together
Ends
Notes to editors:
(1) fun 1 a source of enjoyment, amusement, diversion, etc. 2 pleasure, gaiety, or merriment (extract from Collins Concise Dictionary 4 th ed. 1999)
(2) play (pler) vb 4 to behave carelessly 28 freedom of movement 30 fun
(extract from Collins Concise Dictionary 4 th ed. 1999)
Details of the responses and quotes drawn from the children themselves are attached to this press release.
Copies of the ‘Solutions through fun’ booklet are available on request.
The British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) is the U.K. trade association representing toy manufacturers, distributors and suppliers. Founded in 1944, its members account for 95% of toys sold in the U.K. The BTHA is the owner and organiser of the annual Toy Fair in London.
Dr. Pat Spungin is the founder of leading parenting website www.raisingkids.co.uk. She holds a PhD in Psychology and is a writer and broadcaster on parenting and family issues. She is married with three children.
To arrange an interview or for further information contact the Toy Fair press office on
T: 020 7255 1100 or from 25 – 28 January, call 020 7069 6200
E: heather.battams@uk.grayling.com or Debbie.white@uk.grayling.com