Articles in the March 2010 issue

Concentrating minds and bringing people together (full text available on members‘ pages)

With the new Children's Hearing Bill entering parliament and a UK general election on the horizon, Children in Scotland spoke to Minister for Children and Early Years Adam Ingram about the political landscape for children and families in 2010.

Children's services can play a major role in developing and supporting a child's sense of place', which in turn helps shape an understanding of their own identity and influence the course of their lives. The latest edition of Children in Europe looks at why place' and community are so important. Bronwen Cohen explains

As the Rural Scotland in Focus Report 2010 is published, we ask: what is the future for Scotland's rural infrastructure and services? Sarah Skerratt guides us through the report

Play is a child's work, says Niina Hummelin. In Finland children are exploring the principles of architecture with their parents, and developing together that “Aha!” sense of achievement

Childminders in Scotland provide quality, home-based care for many families yet are under no obligation to seek training that could enhance their skills. We hear from the Scottish Childminding Association about why more training opportunities for childminders would strengthen the children's sector workforce, as well as improve the lives of Scotland's children

One single parent in 10 is a father, and fathers are frequently the main childcare resource for mothers who work. Yet parenting support specifically for dads is thin on the ground. We look at a pioneering project in West Lothian that offers help to the youngest fathers

As the Alcohol Bill comes before Parliament, Jonathan Sher looks at the relationship Scots have with alcohol – and why an overemphasis on pricing could dilute the Bill's effect

While girls are often more confident singing in public, it's boys who are in the spotlight in South Ayrshire, where the tradition of the male voice choir has been brought back to life, as Lynn Gilmour hears