In Praise Of Doing Nothing

4.40.11pm GMT Wed 5th Nov 2003

Dr Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park and newly-appointed Lib Dem Shadow minister for children, has spoken warmly of the value to children of doing nothing.

The MP was speaking in a debate called by the Government on play strategy on Tuesday November 4 in Westminster Hall. She began by congratulating the Government on the Surestart strategy but went on to question the number of "targets" children and teachers had to achieve nowadays, the value of tests for seven-year olds and the lack of play facilities."

"Children do learn through play," the MP said. "It is terribly important that they should and not just learn in order to pass tests."

Dr Tonge also questioned the wisdom of cramming too much into a child's day. "In middle class areas such as my constituency, children are given so many extra opportunities for acquiring skills that they have no space for themselves. They are not allowed simply to do nothing. What is wrong with doing nothing occasionally?"

Dr Tonge concluded her speech with a warm tribute to grandparents (the MP has four with another on the way). "In our strategy, let us not forget grandparents," the MP said, "and particularly not the grandparent in my family - I commend him to the House."