Small talk: News on parenting

Q I am worried that my children don't get enough exercise. How much do they need and how can I encourage it?

A Health experts in the UAE advise that children need at least an hour of moderate exercise every day, which can be made up of sport, activities or play.

Follow these tips to get your child moving:

>> Sign them up: Enrol your child in one of the many activity classes launching in January at the Academies Campus at Dubai Sports City. www.dubaisportscity.

>> Get gaming: Don't be afraid of computer games - research published by the American Academy of Pediatrics says that, while they can't be used to replace exercise, active video games such as the Ninentdo Wii and dance games, can help boost children's overall activity levels.

>> Get a pooch: A family pet, such as a playful dog, can help to encourage moderate exercise through regular walks and playing.

Such a sweet child

Giving your child sweets every day could be harming more than just his or her teeth. A study which started in Britain in 1970, called the British Cohort Study, has found a strong link between eating sweet treats daily during childhood and violent tendencies in adulthood.

Dr Simon Moore, a researcher on the study, says, "Our favoured explanation is that giving children sweets and chocolate regularly may stop them learning how to wait to obtain something they want. Not being able to defer gratification may push them towards more impulsive behaviour, which is strongly associated with delinquency."

Teach your child the art of delayed gratification by choosing certain times of the week when sweets or chocolate are allowed; encouraging them to finish their meal before pudding, and making sure you don't use sweets as a parenting tool or as a comforter.

How you choose to discipline your child could affect his IQ level. Researchers at the University of Hampshire found that smacking could lower a child's IQ by up to four points.

Murray Straus, professor of sociology and study author, says, "How often parents spanked made a difference. The more spanking, the slower the development of the child's mental ability. But even small amounts of spanking made a difference."

Punishing IQ levels

Next time you are stuck for your child's birthday present, take him or her down to the Build-A-Bear Workshop in Dubai Festival City.

First you choose a bear, then you fill it with stuffing, a heart filled with wishes, and perhaps a voice-recorded message. Once the bear has been sewn up, select clothes and accessories to personalise the teddy. The fun is all in the making. Call 800-BEARS or visit www.buildabear.ae.