Education: Our children 'need time to play'

TOO much homework and television are stopping children from having a childhood, according to a poll of parents.

Those questioned believed children's lives are too structured and pressurised with little time to play.

Homework, extra lessons, after-school clubs and television are all blamed for preventing youngsters from enjoying their free time, in a poll of 2,000 parents.

More than half of those questioned said children are under more pressure today than ever before.