I read this article today encouraging free play and independence in kids today. It reminded me of my childhood days of biking through our neighborhood with my sister and our friend S who also lived in the same neighborhood. Such care-free days they were. We were fearless and imagined ourselves conquering mountains as we rode our bikes at high speed over humps of a short cut trail we took to get home. We were inspired by Enid Blyton books like the Secret Seven and the Famous Five, searching for adventure in our rather tame environs. We got our fair share of scrapes and bruises but they did not stop us at all.
I see the kids in Singapore today, stuck at home or in tuition centers, doing homework or enrichment exercises. I suspect much of their free time is spent with eyes glued on to a smart phone or tablet either playing games or watching videos. I bet the optometrists are making good money.
