The leading thinkers today take a look at the parenting debate and speak on how to raise inspired children.

The years kids spend at school are about so much more than maths, English and science. The jostle of school yard play and politics means they come up against challenges that are social, emotional, psychological and physical in nature as well.

The problem, however, is that statistics tell us an increasing number of school-aged children are obese, depressed, abuse drugs or alcohol, have behavioural problems such as ADHD and even, tragically, commit suicide.

To protect her own son from becoming yet another sad statistic, international award winning researcher and university teacher Dr Rosina McAlpine has corralled some of the world's leading thinkers to produce a book titled Raising Inspired Children.

"Parents want the best for their children, but the fast and demanding pace of life has left them poor and stressed" Dr McAlpine says. "They don't have the time to research the latest findings in child development unless they come up against a problem and need expert help to manage it."

Here, we look at some of what those leading minds have contributed to the parenting debate.