Always an interesting question, problems with kids education. I think it's probably a question of balance. On one hand, I think there's a definite place for being tough with kids (sometimes they really do just need to sit down!). On the other hand, I've met a lot of adults who forget that kids are kids and not little adults. We're too hard on them sometimes. Kids are allowed to get distracted and ansty! Funny how we forget that.

There's an argument that we structure kids too much now - with soccer practice and dance and girl guides ... Maybe half the reason why kids can't self-entertain is that we don't let them. There's as much creativity in organizing a game of pick-up on the street as anything else, I think. I bet it's even more valuable than repetitive math problems.

-T. pirate