Cork kids value conversation over material things

At a time when advertising and materialism continue to bombard and cajole society from all angles, it seems level headed Cork kids are still hungry for that human connection.

A new study has revealed that children in Cork and Munster value meaningful conversations and spending quality time with the people they love more than material things.

Commissioned by Heinz and children’s charity Barnardos, the study surveyed 1,000 adults and 500 children across Ireland, including hundreds of respondents in Munster, focusing largely on children’s relationships with the adults in their lives.

The findings were very encouraging with just 8% of kids in Munster saying they already spend enough meaningful time with the people who matter most to them.

Food and mealtimes emerged as an important way for families to slow down, connect, and talk. Half of adults participants in Munster said sharing a meal brings their family together, while more than eight in ten children said the same. Almost three-quarters of the children said some of their best family conversations happen at mealtimes (70%), with the dinner table the leading setting for meaningful conversations among both adults and children.

The top ten things children in Munster value about spending time with someone from another generation are: making happy memories together (41%); feeling closer to them (40%); hearing family stories (38%); doing fun activities together (38%); having fun and laughing together (37%); learning family traditions (33%); simply spending time together (32%); learning about their family’s past (32%); getting advice when they need it (26%) and learning from the things they have done (26%).

Outside the home

The research highlighted the positive influence of trusted adults beyond parents and primary caregivers.

More than eight in ten children said it is good to have trusted adults in their lives beyond their parents (86%). Grandparents were most often identified as having the biggest positive influence, according to 58% of children and 44% of adults.

Aunts and uncles (35%), teachers (27%), family friends (18%), and coaches or activity leaders (10%) were also identified by children in Munster as important sources of support for them and their families.

Commenting on the findings, chartered clinical psychologist Dr Malie Coyne said: “What stands out from this research is that children value time, attention and meaningful conversation more than material things.

“For parents and caregivers, the message is reassuring: children don’t need every moment together to be perfect, they need to feel listened to, understood, and important.”

Dr Coyne also noted that shared meals can create a natural, low-pressure opportunity to check in with loved ones.

She said: “Even a short meal without distractions can give children space to open up and allow conversations to develop at their own pace.”

The study marks a fifth joining of forces between Heinz and Barnardos for their Heinz Meanz Mealz limited-edition packs of Heinz Beanz, which support Barnardos Breakfast Clubs and intensive family support programmes across Ireland.

Presenter and model, Vogue Williams, who is a longstanding ambassador for the Heinz and Barnardos partnership, said; “Mealtimes give us a reason to pause, sit down together, and hear about each other’s day.

“I’m incredibly lucky to have a close family and a strong support network.

“But not every family has that network around them, which is why trusted organisations such as Barnardos can play such an important role in supporting both children and the adults caring for them.”