Set free childhood: parents' survival guide for coping with computers and TV. By Martin Large. (Hawthorn Press, 10.99, 01453 757040). Reviewed by Jennie Lindon, early years consultant
Hawthorn Press has a strong track record of titles that champion children's right to a childhood. Martin Large's book gives an informed basis for challenging any sense that adults - parents or practitioners - just have to accept the myriad commercial pressures around computers and television.
Parents and practitioners will find solid information to shape their concerns about children who spend large amounts of time in front of a screen. The book describes the impact on children's development when their waking hours are dominated by passive viewing of television or repetitive use of computer programmes, and the vital experiences that are pushed out by computer and television as a first choice activity.
The Steiner/Waldorf system of education would prefer that children do not encounter television or computers until middle childhood, because of the blocks made on their imagination and social communication. The book is balanced and recognises how visible this kind of technology is for the current generation of children; many families will not feel able to remove the screen entirely from their children.
The author makes clear that adults need to exert their responsibility by placing limits on what is watched or played and for how long, and suggests other activities and social interaction that can be offered in its place.
He also makes an effective challenge to the unethical commercial interests that target young children through screen advertising.
