Let Them Be: Reclaiming Childhood for Our Children

“Play used to be the way we discovered ourselves and explored the world around us. Perhaps it was at a sandlot, where — glove in hand –we argued with friends, drew lots, and fanned out to immerse ourselves in a pickup baseball game. Or maybe it was flashlight tag: we chased each other at dusk, laughing and tumbling, bumping and bumbling around. But we connected with each other: with parents, siblings, and friends. Life was physical and immediate. Interaction was direct. We talked, fought, and resolved our conflicts face-to-face. Modern technology changed all that. We Facebook and text. Watch Vimeo and videos gone viral. Life experiences and learning filter through to us via digital devices. Nowadays, kids are plugged in, often before they can even walk.” Author Luis Fernando Llosa explores how today’s climate of technology immersion, competitive youth sports, and little time for unstructured play may be sabotaging today’s youth.