Sir, – The Oxford English Dictionary defines play as "amusing oneself by engaging in imaginative pretence".
Surely the “distracted” parents observed by Rossa Bunworth (May 30th) were facilitating their children in amusing themselves by using their own imaginations, while at the same time being available in the event of a crisis. Sounds like a win-win to me.
The alternative is the all too common tendency of modern parents to guide and control tightly their children’s playtime, thereby stifling imagination and independence. – Yours, etc,
RONAN FOX,
Raheny,
Dublin 5.
Sir, – It’s not just distracted parents ignoring their children which is a chronic problem. I have witnessed childcare workers and babysitters whiling away the hours fiddling with their phones. God help this generation of young children. – Yours, etc,
JOHN DEVLIN,
Baile Átha Cliath 2.
