Play and hobbies

28 July 2004

In reply to Gill Evans letter 'Let boys and girls go out to play' (8 July), of course children need time to play. But I assumed that Nursery World readers already knew that, so I didn't worry that there was no space to mention it in my 'In My View' column alongside the new point I wanted to make. My four children, aged four to ten, each pursue only two after-school activities, leaving the other days free. The school is suggesting activities that could also be used as childcare each day.

My four children, aged four to ten, each pursue only two after-school activities, leaving the other days free. The school is suggesting activities that could also be used as childcare each day.

Instead, I am advocating finding just one or two independent hobbies that can bring pleasure throughout a child's primary and secondary school years and sometimes lead to work and college placements, career choices and jobs.

* Debbie Chalmers, Girton, Cambridge

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