Things in the library 27th Nov...

Things about balance... 

Young children growing up today have access to more screen-based experiences than any generation before them. Whether through smart televisions, on-demand streaming video, YouTube or mobile touchscreens, a remarkable amount of infant- and toddler-directed content vies for young children's attention. A quick YouTube search for ‘educational video toddler’ brings up a list of animated videos with nursery rhymes and songs, many with millions and millions of views, but none with evidence of educational value. Although research on background television documented its ability to interrupt parent–child verbal exchange  and play, little is known about how modern media activities influence children's everyday experiences, particularly the important serve-and-return interactions  that occur around play, reading and daily outings. In this issue of Acta Paediatrica, ‘Screen Use Relates to Decreased Offline Enrichment Activities’ explores the displacement hypothesis: the idea that child the more time children spend with screen-based activities, the less time they engage in pretend play, health-related behaviours (eg, physical activity and sleep) or social interactions with caregivers or peers. In the modern digital environment, there are many reasons—ranging from tokens and rewards for prolonged gameplay  to the satisfying design of toy unboxing videos—why children would grow to prefer screen-based activities to more health-promoting (albeit boring) ones. 

Things online... 

Safeguarding Children in the Digital Age. Online conference: 1pm-3pm, 11th-14th January 2021

Digital technology continues to evolve at an extraordinary rate, providing children and young people with countless opportunities for learning, development and socialisation. It also presents ever increasing threats to their wellbeing and safety which have intensified during the Covid pandemic. Safeguarding young people today requires all practitioners, parents and carers to be up to speed with how to safeguard online. The 4th national conference on Safeguarding Children in the Digital Age, which takes place online, will provide essential learning for the entire children’s workforce. They are bringing together leading online safety experts and safeguarding professionals to equip you with the understanding, skills and confidence to ensure children and young people stay safe in the digital age. 

The online conference takes place over four consecutive days with a series of two-hour, CPD-certified live sessions from Monday 11th to Thursday 14th January 2021 between 1pm and 3pm.

Things exciting...

It is our Reading Group Virtual Christmas party this week on Wednesday 2nd December - bring your own mulled wine. We are discussing The Silver Sword but also choosing our reading for the next year from the excellent suggestions put forward by our group. if you want to be part of this please email the library to ask for the link or to be put on the mailing list.

...and don't forget

We have a great selection of leisure reading you can borrow so make sure you stock up before Christmas!

Things about baby food... 

A cross-sectional survey of all infant food products available to buy in the UK online and in-store collected in 2019. Nutritional content and product descriptions were recorded and compared with an existing 2013 database. Fewer foods are now marketed to infants aged 4 months, but there has been no overall reduction in the sweetness of products and the increase in snack foods and the sweetness of savoury foods is a concern.

Things to take note of...  

Some changes in our opening hours coming up. We will be closed for staff training some or all of  Monday 7th Dec (precise details next week and in the library bulletin). We will also be closed for Christmas from 21st December (this day we will be doing our annual stocktake) until we re-open on 4th January.

Things Hygge...  

I have really missed being able to go to the university restaurant for their Hygge season this year but as we are seemingly destined to spend more time at home over the winter it is something to embrace. Meik Wiking, the author of The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets To Happy Living, says “The true essence of hygge is the pursuit of everyday happiness and it’s basically like a hug, just without the physical touch,”  A few things to make your life more Hygge..candles, cosy blankets, hot chocolate, a good book, a board game instead of screentime, mindfulness  and perhaps a warming stew cooking in the slowcooker. I notice that Sandi Toksvig is starting a new series on BBC Radio 4 about Hygge starting on 2nd Dec at 18:30.

So something to cook...

This traditional Danish meal was a very popular amongst poor Danish farmers for the simple reason that it is cheap, quick to make and very satisfying. For non-Danes, it provides a glimpse into a very traditional type of Danish meal Burning Love - (Brændende Kærlighed)