The Facts of Life

Despite describing an Irish-Scottish childhood in Glasgow during the 1930s Depression – in a period book-ended by two world wars – The Facts of Life is written in a charming and simple style with many amusing and memorable vignettes. As Anne grows into adolescence, the warm and loving relationship with her parents begins to grow dull and chafe as a new and exciting social life opens up in dancing, amateur dramatics and in the university campus. Although it is a personal intimate story of suburban family life in Scotland, it is of interest to parents and early educators the world over. Anne McKenna’s professional familiarity with child psychology, parent-child relations, education and cultural and religious practice permeates the narrative in a seamless and rich account of childhood. From this forthright and practical account, the reader will absorb much that is helpful in their own child rearing practice and preschool activities from the chapters on learning to read, folklore of children’s street games and how children learn the facts of life.