Essay 72 – Children’s leisure activities must be educational

GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 72

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people believe that children’s leisure activities must be educational, otherwise, they are a complete waste of time.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.


Model Answer 1: [Agreement]

In today’s society, there is a common belief that children’s leisure activities must have an educational component; otherwise, they are considered a complete waste of time. I completely agree with this perspective and believe that leisure activities should provide children with opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills in a fun and engaging way.

Firstly, educational leisure activities allow children to acquire new skills and knowledge while having fun. For example, a child who enjoys playing video games can learn programming and design skills by creating their own game. Additionally, playing educational games can help children improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for their academic and professional success.

Secondly, educational leisure activities can help children discover their passions and interests. For instance, a child who enjoys drawing can explore different art forms and techniques through various educational programs, leading to a potential career in art or design. Through these activities, children can gain a sense of purpose and direction, which can positively impact their overall development.

Lastly, educational leisure activities can foster a sense of social responsibility in children. For example, participating in community service or volunteering can teach children about the importance of helping others and contributing to society. These activities can also provide children with opportunities to develop empathy and compassion, which are essential for building healthy relationships and creating a more equitable society.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that children’s leisure activities must have an educational component. By engaging in these activities, children can develop new skills, discover their passions, and become more socially responsible individuals. Thus, parents and caregivers should encourage children to engage in educational leisure activities to maximize their potential for growth and development.


Model Answer 2: [Disagreement]

These days, children’s education takes priority over everything else to their parents. This is why educational leisure activity is the rallying cry of many parents. However, in my view, leisure hours should be authentically recreational. This is because genuine recreation facilitates children’s overall development.

First and foremost, children can learn through play. In particular, they can develop motor and cognitive skills through games and sports they play. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children can be taught by playing, particularly when they are very young and are still improving important cognitive and motor skills. So if parents think that their children will learn only if they study or do serious activities during their free time, it is a misguided idea.

Secondly, authentic recreation like sports can enhance all-round fitness and helps relieve stress. A good chunk of study discovers that the lack of sports time affects children’s emotional development, resulting in the rise of depression, anxiety and problems of attention. Apart from that, sports improve physical fitness, which in turn decreases the risk of many diseases. Furthermore, sports are good for the body in aiding to enhancing children’s immune systems. Last but not least, authentic recreational activities boost the learning attitude. By this, I mean that these activities are meant to be fun, which in turn stimulates the children’s interest and joy in learning. Many child psychologists suggest that children ought to be allowed to spend quality time in authentic recreational activities.

All things considered, it seems reasonable to draw the conclusion that authentic leisure activities are far more important, and not a waste of time. Therefore, parents should indulge children with pleasurable activities that are crucial for their all-round development.

2 Comments to “Essay 72 – Children’s leisure activities must be educational”

  1. Can you please email me a new essay for the following question?

    Some people think that parents should include educational activities in their children’s free time; otherwise, kids will waste their time.

    Do you agree with this statement?
    [Note: It is an argumentative essay. My email address is thevenplaysmc@gmail.com]

  2. Some people believe that children’s leisure activities must be educational, otherwise, they are a complete waste of time.
    Do you agree or disagree?

    It is commonly believed by many that children’s leisure time should be utilized with scholastic activities or else the time spent by them would be wasted. Although educational pursuits are very important, I believe that we need to inculcate outdoor activities in our children’s free-time activities. Firstly this essay will explain the importance of extracurricular activities, and secondly, it will discuss how educational activities during leisure time can take a back seat.

    Children today need all-round developments. Taking part in all kinds of pursuits like sports, drawing, drama, music, etc. will help them reach their full potential. This will help them tap their interests and increase creativity, which in turn, will help them do even better in schools. Also, if youngsters are exposed to all these programs, they can make good career choices. That is why I believe it is important for young minds to get engage in different activities, beyond their school books. For instance, research finds that creative students who have a diverse range of interest tend to do better when they grow up rather than those who only study academic books.

    Moreover, exposing boys and girls to creative activities, during their free time, can help them learn new things and help their cognitive development. They can develop their knowledge by playing quiz and word games, solving puzzles, cooperating and sometimes competing with friends and so on. These days, children have many classes to attend, many homework to complete and if we force them to study or read in their spare time, they would develop antipathy towards reading and learning. So we should let them enjoy their free time so that they can concentrate on their studies.

    In conclusion, although educational activities are important to participate in, there should be a balance between curricular and extracurricular activities. Only when this balance is maintained, a student will excel in school and in career.

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