The editorial in April

Dear reader
Did you know that it's mainly children who fall off the climbing frame after being told two minutes earlier: «Watch out - otherwise you'll fall off.» Why is that? The mother, who looks anxiously at her climbing offspring, is signalling to the child: «Oh dear, I'm probably not as good at this as I thought.» The mother, in turn, feels vindicated by the falling child: «See, I told you right away.»
Parents worry about their children's health. That's a good thing. But is this concern always proportionate? David Spiegelhalter researches the perception of risks at Cambridge University in the UK. In a recent interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, the scientist said: «People are safest when they are around seven years old. Out of 10,000 seven-year-olds in the western world, only one child does not live to see their eighth birthday. No one in the history of mankind has ever been so safe. And yet we drive the children to school by car and worry terribly about them.»
So let us parents think of Professor Spiegelhalter the next time we see our child lying in the emergency room with a pressure bandage while bravely pulling himself up on a branch.

Renowned paediatrician Remo Largo is known for saying what he thinks. «Today, 40 per cent of children whose mothers have to work are unsupervised. It is no longer a question of whether we want day schools or not. They are simply a necessity.» Nevertheless, all-day schools are still rare in this country. Why is that? Why does an offer that many parents want meet with so much resistance? Author Bettina Leinenbach asked around at the day school in Zug, spoke to experts, teachers, parents and young people. And was surprised at how well learning and living together can succeed in a day school.

«My children go to tennis, football, piano, chess, ballet and jazz gymnastics. And yours?» «They play.»

Source: seitenblicke.at

He is the top child protector in Switzerland. Georg Staubli, head of the child protection group at Zurich Children's Hospital, sees things in his work that are often difficult to bear. He told my colleague Claudia Landolt why many abuses occur due to excessive demands. A powerful interview with an extraordinary personality.
Children need recognition, not praise. Says family therapist Jesper Juul. And encourages a mother whose child has changed since going to school - a must-read!
I wish you an inspiring read and, as always, look forward to receiving mail from you.
Yours sincerely, Nik Niethammer