By ARINDAM GANGULY, OP
Bhubaneswar: Childhood, once synonymous with carefree play, outdoor adventures and innocent curiosity, is increasingly turning into a race against academic deadlines, parental expectations and digital distractions.
Packed schedules, examination pressure and shrinking playgrounds are leaving children with little time to simply be children. Are youngsters paying the price for society’s obsession with success? On the occasion of Children’s Day, Orissa POST speaks to experts who call for a rethink of education, parenting and urban planning to restore the joy of growing up.
Poly Patnaik, educationist, principal and chairman of Mother’s Public School, believes education must go beyond marks, rankings and career prospects. “Childhood is not a rehearsal for adulthood; it is a precious phase of life that deserves to be experienced, enjoyed and celebrated,” she says.
She points out that constant comparisons and unrealistic expectations can affect children’s confidence, while excessive screen exposure and diminishing playgrounds deprive them of physical activity and social interaction. Children, she says, need encouragement, acceptance and companionship rather than constant supervision.
Educationist Naba Kishore Pujari echoes the concern, saying academic pressure and digital fatigue are gradually replacing outdoor play and curiosity. He calls for schools to focus on holistic development, parents to avoid comparisons and urban planners to ensure safe, accessible playgrounds.
Silpi Sahoo, Chairperson of SAI International Education Group, says children also learn through friendships, conversations, outdoor experiences and mistakes.
She advocates experiential learning, creative activities and sports, allowing children the freedom to explore their interests at their own pace. Fitness coach and parent, Priyanka Singhdeo stresses that childhood should be about exploring, playing and creating memories rather than chasing academic scores. She calls for regular physical education, outdoor activities and screen-free family time.
Psychiatrist Dr Amrit Pattojoshi says the anxiety to secure children’s future is often taking away their present. “Play is not a distraction from education; it is essential for physical, mental and emotional development,” he says, underlining the importance of allowing children to make mistakes and develop resilience.
The message this Children’s Day is simple: academic success matters, but so does a happy childhood. Schools, parents and cities must make room for laughter, play and discovery, ensuring that growing up does not become another competition.
