It’s not all about iPads & Gadgets - Kids would rather be read a story
New research shows it’s the simple pleasures that make kids smile the most. In a top thirty list, ‘being read stories by parents’ comes in at 13 beating technology, with ‘using the iPad’ at 22 and ‘gadgets’ at 26.
Colgate surveyed 4,000 children and adults across the UK to uncover the UK’s smiling habits as part of Colgate’s Keeping Britain Smiling campaign that runs throughout May and raises vital funds for Barnardo’s, the UK’s leading children’s charity. The heart-warming results reveal that:
It’s simple “money-can’t-buy” fun and attention that make children smile the most. ‘Playing with friends’ comes in at number one with over half of four to twelve year olds saying it’s the thing that makes them smile the most. ‘Cuddles’ and ‘kisses from mum and dad’ also made the top ten, coming in at number four and six respectively.
When parents were asked what brings a smile to their faces, children were a dominating factor, coming in at number one and featuring three times in their top 10.
Parents said that the top reason for putting on a fake smile is when they are dealing with someone they don’t like (just under 60%) with 30% admitting to giving a fake smile when they are being sarcastic. Just over 20% flash a fake smile when a stranger smiles at them.
Pop sensation Harry Styles was amongst the top five of famous people or characters that made kids smile, hitting the top ranks along with Peppa Pig, The Gruffalo, Jessie J and Dora the Explorer.
Melanie C, former Spice Girl and Tesco Celebrity Mum of the Year, is supporting Colgate’s campaign to help vulnerable children across the UK. Melanie comments: “My daughter always makes me smile no matter how bad my day. Children apparently smile an incredible 400 times a day* – not quite the 5 million they think they do, but it’s still an awful lot compared with the 10% of adults polled who said they never smiled! A smile lifts your mood, makes you feel happier and even raises your endorphins – plus it’s the first thing people notice about you.”
The results will also bring a smile to the faces of mothers around the country as they have pipped fathers to the post when it comes to making their kids smile with ‘Mum’ coming in at number three and ‘Dad’ shortly following at number five. Interestingly, the more materialistic items were squeezed out of the top ten, with ‘a new TV’, ‘a new house’ and ‘having more toys than their friends’ coming lower down the list.
The research also showed just how extreme adults’ attitudes to smiling are from that of kids revealing that almost half (47%) of adults say they smile “just ten times a day or less” compared to 42% of kids who claim to smile “all the time” and an incredible 13% of youngsters who think they smile 5 million times a day!
When asked what made them laugh, kids found people falling over, telling jokes, being tickled, their family, pulling funny faces and their pets all made them laugh.
Barnardo’s Director, Allan McLaren, comments: “It’s the simple things that make children smile. The things that are easy to take for granted that sadly, some children in Britain rarely experience. That’s why, during Colgate’s Keeping Britain Smiling campaign, we’re asking parents across Britain to share what makes their children smile on the Colgate Keeping Britain Smiling Facebook page, facebook.com/colgateuk. In return for each post, Colgate will donate £1 to help vulnerable children have a brighter future.”
The Colgate ‘Keeping Britain Smiling’ campaign is Britain’s chance to make a real difference through the power of smiles. An interactive roadshow will be touring the country collecting children’s smiles throughout May (visit the Colgate Facebook for locations) or get involved on the Keeping Britain Smiling Facebook page facebook.com/ColgateUK throughout May.
