托福写作练习 How should children spend their time?

　　Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age and should spend most of their time on school studies. Others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing. Compare these two views. Which view do you agree with? Why?

　　参考分析：

　　两种观点都有些极端。先比较两种观点，然后选择一个折衷的立场。

　　早上学的好处和坏处：好处是很多提前上学的孩子显得聪明，对付学习显得游刃有余(be more than equal to a task; accomplish a task with ease)。完成formal education的时候比别人年轻，有更多的选择余地。坏处是，经常挨欺负(be bullied; be treated rough)。早熟(precocious)，可能会有副作用(negative effects)。

　　晚上学的好处和坏处：实际上并不吃亏;学习好坏不见得一定跟上学早晚有必然的联系(positive connection)。坏处是，家长如果引导不好，不利于智力发育(development of child's intelligence)。

　　立场：不见得一定要尽早上学;孩子确实应该多花一些时间去玩。但是应该正确引导，因为玩也分为好多种，玩棋牌游戏显然比玩泥巴(play with mud)要有益得多。

　　儿童应当花主要的时间玩

　　(1)人一生只有在儿童的几年是最快乐的，应当让儿童享受这种快乐，给他们未来留下好的印象。

　　(2)儿童玩对性格培养要好

　　(3)儿童在玩的时候，同样也能够自然的学到很多知识。比如说和宠物一起玩，可以知道爱护动物和自然。

　　参考范文：

　　How should children spend their time?

　　In our rapidly changing world people begin to understand more and more that nothing is so valuable but knowledge. Education has become an important part of people's life. Due to this some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age and should spend most of their time on school studies. But others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing. To my mind these two views should be balanced so as not to go to the extremes.

　　The first point of view that children should start early on their studies make me assume that it can be harmful and damaging for a child's physical development and personality. As a teacher I have seen the result of beginning education too early. Children are deprived of the enjoyment of their childhood years and their intrinsic desire to play. Some children cannot concentrate on their study and keep playing at school. Besides, the children who are not allowed to play and are forced to study can begin to detest the education process and the teachers. So, to force children to study at an early age can spoil the whole picture.

　　When facing the question of early education it is also important to note that children who begin to study at an early age are often overloaded by studying material and homework, which they are not ready to cope with. Besides some parents neglect their children and do not pay enough attention to the children's problems at school thinking that they are still young.

　　The second opinion that children should play instead of study also has disadvantages. In this case children are not well prepared for their school life at all. They have no idea what he is going to do at school. In addition, research shows that early education can benefit children's brain development and prepare them better for the futures school education. The most important time for early education could be missed if parents do not send their children to school at an appropriate age.

　　In conclusion I would like to point out that that early education and play should be well balanced so that their enjoyment of childhood that is once in a lifetime would not be deprived. It is quite important for governments to design and implement an appropriate primary education system so that young children can have chances to both learn and play at school.