Imagine kids celebrating their freedom in spontaneous play that is not organized by grownups. Imagine parents, teachers, and doctors recognizing potential genius in the child who argues and is distracted. Imagine nurturing the creativity of super-energized kids and those who are different, peculiar or eccentric.
A happier picture:
- Babies being cared for by parents, not surrogates
- Parents having more leisure time with their kids
- An end to behavior-modifying drugs for children
- Kindergarteners engaging in age-appropriate activities, not seat work
- No homework in the primary grades allowing for leisure time to play
- Less student testing in school and more arts and recess
These visions aren’t unrealistic. They do, however, require a cultural transformation. Decision-makers need to be educated about the value of play and leisure time. And to recognize the futility of pushing children academically too soon. We can learn from the academic success of children in Finland who don’t start learning to read until age 7, then are allowed to recess for 15 minutes after every 45 minutes of academics in elementary school. And Sweden, where mothers are required to stay home with their infants the first year of life, and receive full pay while doing so! Fathers can stay home with pay, too, if they so choose! This allows for the quality parent-child bonding that makes for happy children and grownups too. Our child development scholars keep telling us this!