It seems to me that the present generation is drawn in by video games, television, the latest mobile phone, and any other electronic form of entertainment. When I was in prep school, the only programme I knew about was Sesame Street, and until I was 10 years old, I had no idea that Big Bird was yellow and Cookie Monster was blue! I remember a business associate of my father's bringing the new Atari game to our house, and it taking him an extended amount of time to realise that our television was indeed working. He was a little surprised that our picture was black and white! We didn't even have a landline in those days, so once a plan was made with someone, we'd have to stick to it.

All the things that appeal to kids now were never available to me and my siblings back in the '70s and '80s, while living in the deep country of Clarendon. If we wanted to play inside the house, then we would settle down with the checker board or use a deck of cards to play Crazy Eights, Rummy, Go Fish, Hearts, Snap, Memory, and countless others. We'd often improvise grown-up situations, like playing shopkeeper and customers, doctor and patients, or mummy and baby.

Common occurrences

Once outside, the sky was the limit, literally! Constructing camps out of fallen tree branches, rocks, and bushes was a favourite. Climbing trees, catching lizards and general exploration of the garden were all common occurrences in our family. We had a swing set that my dad had made us, along with a climbing frame, all of which had been constructed out of old water pipes. Games learnt at school, like hopscotch, jacks, Simon says, and red light were endlessly exhausted by us at home.

The truth is, I don't remember a moment of boredom once I came home from school. I never felt that I was missing out on anything. Sure, homework took up an hour or so of every afternoon, but my brothers and I were never at a loss about how to occupy our 'free' time after that. Due to having no sisters, my activities did tend to be more boy oriented than usual. I quickly learned how to kick a ball and play cricket, and as we were four, the sides were always even in numbers, though the brother who got 'stuck' with me might not have thought so at the time!

Brilliant idea

I've asked a few people how they occupied themselves as children, once school was over. One friend came up with a brilliant idea that I'd like to pass on. Instruments like guitars, pianos, flutes, drums and so on are fairly expensive. However, rhythm is in our nation's veins. It's a shame that so many children do not get to experience the pleasure and joy that music brings. Here are some suggestions to fashion your own musical instruments: half fill plastic containers with dried beans and raw rice, cover and shake; beat wooden spoons on an upside-down pot; gently knock a metal spoon on the top of an empty glass bottle; use two pan lids to knock together. Aside from knives, and provided parents approve, you can use so many kitchen utensils to suit your requirements.

School can be very tiring, so it's not necessary to fill each moment of the afternoon with activities. Down time, of chatting and reading with parents and siblings, is an important part of learning and personal growth without wearing your body out. Don't forget that children have to get up the next morning and go to school again. If the week rushes by without restful periods, they will just collapse on weekends and not want to do anything. After-school activities should be tailored to accommodate rest, and the only place this can really happen is at home.

Emmadaltonbrown@gmail.com