Some people say that parents should encourage their children to take part in organised group activities in their free time. Others say that it is important for children to learn how to occupy themselves on their own. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

People have differing views on how
children
Use synonyms
should spend their free
time
Use synonyms
. Some argue that parents ought to encourage participation in organised
group
Use synonyms
activities
Use synonyms
,
while
Linking Words
others believe it is more important for
children
Use synonyms
to learn to entertain themselves independently. Both perspectives have merit, but in my opinion, a balanced approach that combines both is the most beneficial for a child’s
overall
Linking Words
development. On the one hand, organised
group
Use synonyms
activities
Use synonyms
offer clear social and developmental advantages. When
children
Use synonyms
join sports teams, music groups, or clubs, they learn essential interpersonal skills
such
Linking Words
as cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution.
For example
Linking Words
, a child who plays on a football team must work
together with
Linking Words
teammates, follow rules, and respect a coach’s instructions. These experiences help build teamwork and discipline, qualities that are valuable in adult life.
Furthermore
Linking Words
, structured
activities
Use synonyms
can keep
children
Use synonyms
productively occupied and reduce excessive screen
time
Use synonyms
. They may
also
Linking Words
discover talents or passions—
such
Linking Words
as art, drama, or athletics—that shape their future educational or career choices.
On the other hand
Linking Words
, learning to occupy oneself is equally important. When
children
Use synonyms
spend
time
Use synonyms
alone, they develop independence, creativity, and self-reliance. Unstructured play encourages imagination;
for instance
Linking Words
, a child drawing, building with blocks, or reading quietly is learning to think creatively without constant guidance.
In addition
Linking Words
, being comfortable alone can foster emotional resilience and problem-solving skills. In adulthood, individuals often need to manage tasks independently, so developing
this
Linking Words
ability from a young age is crucial. Over-scheduling
children
Use synonyms
with constant organised
activities
Use synonyms
may
also
Linking Words
lead to stress or prevent them from learning how to manage their own
time
Use synonyms
. In my view, neither extreme is ideal. If
children
Use synonyms
only participate in organised
activities
Use synonyms
, they may become overly dependent on structure and external direction.
Conversely
Linking Words
, if they are left entirely on their own, they may miss opportunities to develop social skills and teamwork.
Therefore
Linking Words
, parents should aim to provide opportunities for both structured
group
Use synonyms
involvement and independent free
time
Use synonyms
.
For example
Linking Words
, a child might attend a sports practice twice a week but
also
Linking Words
have regular unstructured
time
Use synonyms
at home to read, create, or simply relax. In conclusion, organised
group
Use synonyms
activities
Use synonyms
help
children
Use synonyms
develop social competence and discipline,
while
Linking Words
independent
time
Use synonyms
fosters creativity and self-sufficiency. A healthy balance between the two approaches is likely to support well-rounded personal growth.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

improvement
In task response, add more real life examples and show how they link to your view.
improvement
Give more detail to each idea and explain why it matters to a child’s growth.
improvement
Be sure your own view is clear in the end and refer back to it in the conclusion.
improvement
Use simple link words to show cause and result and keep sentences short for easier read.
strength
Your strengths are a clear stance, balance, and good flow between ideas.
strength
Clear view and balanced talk on both sides.
strength
Good structure with intro, body, and conclusion.
strength
Fair use of linking words to connect ideas.
Topic Vocabulary:
  • encourage
  • occupied
  • organized
  • group activities
  • benefits
  • social
  • teamwork skills
  • interpersonal skills
  • friendship
  • discipline
  • time management
  • interests
  • hobbies
  • independent play
  • creativity
  • problem-solving skills
  • self-reliance
  • explore
  • discover
What to do next:
Look at other essays: