Forum: Let’s preserve the magic of childhood
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I refer to the article “ The magic of childhood in the Netherlands
The writer listed some characteristics of a good childhood: being independent in a safe environment, interacting with non-judgmental parents often, which is associated with life satisfaction, and enjoying healthy home-cooked family meals, as well as undemanding school experiences.
Sounds truly magical.
As a child, I spent many evenings playing and imagining with my siblings at the Tiong Bahru community centre and Tiong Bahru Garden. In my teens, I spent every evening swimming and playing at the River Valley swimming pool.
I experienced the qualities of a good childhood – independence, safety and companionship. I was the director of my play and there were no goals to fulfil except to play until it was about time to head home before 8pm.
Today, adults’ (teachers and parents) objectives heavily influence children to be “future-ready”. How can they be “future-ready” if they are not allowed to live in and experience the “present”?
If they are unhappy in the present, would they look forward to the future?
Parent-child interactions, such as “What did you do in school?”, can be laden with judgments on teachers, children and the school in general. There is hardly any magic besides accountability and responsibility.
Such a non-magical childhood may become a cultural norm if we do not cease burdening young children with the future and being future-ready. Let them be mindfully present and the future will be theirs to own. A child’s future is in the present.
Rebecca Chan (Dr)
