So what else do you have them do with their day?
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They played....hard and intensely. I think the play was vital to their development. Because their play was rarely interrupted, they learned to concentrate intensely for many hours. Sometimes their projects would consume many months. Some projects spanned years.
We did what other successful middle class parents do. We read to them at night, took them to the library once a week, and visited educational sites on weekends, and the summer went camping and to the beach.
Actually, it was an amazing process to watch. Gradually their play became their adult work and avocations. The same intensity that they directed at their play became highly focused work.
For example, my oldest become a highly accomplished athlete. He competed on the national and international level and was on the team the represented the U.S. As a result, he has traveled widely. All play musical instruments. All sing in their church choirs. All are accomplished ball room dancers. The two younger were highly active as well in ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dancing.
By the way, I don’t consider reading as homework. We read all the time from when we were 6 or so. Daddy had a large collection of books.
Reading is pleasure and recreation with educational benefits thrown in.
Life is way too structured as it is and kids need time to hang out, ride their bikes ... and yes, kids do still do that... I see them in my neighborhood all the time.