Child's play: letter

Michael Bywater hit the nail on the head with his observation on the lack of imagination in society today (Review, 23 June). However, the "high school curriculum" is far too late.

Young children have an abundance of imagination which can be carried into adulthood. Much of what we expose them to is "finished" - TV, tapes, toys which play tunes, picture books: the child doesn't have to do any work.

But with a stick, wooden bowl, water, sand, conkers or fir cones, a child can create a whole world. And if they can experience natural processes - baking, grinding grain, sowing seeds - they will gain a connection to the natural world. We can also sing to them, play instruments, and tell them stories, so that they can create their own pictures.

Fiona Sharpe

Gaddesden Row, Herts