BABY TALK WILL KEEP YOUR KIDS OFF DRUGS

It's The Key To Happy Teenagers

TALKING to your baby can stop it taking drugs as a teenager, experts said
yesterday.

The world's biggest survey on teenage health has revealed that children who
were ignored as babies tend to have low self-esteem.

As a result, they fall victim to drugs, alcohol or smoking in later life.

Youngsters whose parents spend time speaking to them - and encouraging them
to speak back - grow up more able to discuss their problems.

Even new-born babies are said to notice whether adults are interested in
them, just like the tot in John Travolta's Look Who's Talking.

Liz Burtney of the Health Education Board for Scotland said: "Parents worry
a lot about the threat of drugs, cigarettes, alcohol and other hazards, and
can feel helpless.

"But this study shows they can make a difference by talking and listening.

"It is something parents need to start early. You can't expect adolescents
to suddenly open up on sensitive topics if there is no history of
meaningful talk in the family.

"Showing an interest in children, and giving them the opportunity to talk
from an early age, is probably the most important job a parent can do."

The World Health Organisation studied 120,000 teenagers from 28 countries
across Europe and North America.

Now Scotland's Research Unit for Health and Behaviour Change, backed by
HEBS, is urging parents to spend at least one hour every day taking an
active interest in what their baby is doing.

Communication is also vital for older children. But experts warn parents
not to lecture or preach.

They say it makes the young less likely to open up to their loved-ones, and
drives them towards the very behaviour parents want to avoid.

Some schools were also found to be good for children's health.

Pupils who are happy, and feel involved in decision-making at school, are
less likely to suffer physical or mental health problems.

Martin Raymond of HEBS said: "Encouraging parents and teenagers to talk
isn't exactly rocket science but in the long term it could make all the
difference."