“A Day in My Life”: What Children’s 24-Hour Clocks Reveal

Recently, I had the opportunity to ask a group of children to map out their day using a 24-hour clock — a simple activity that turned into a powerful reflection of how childhood is evolving in today’s world.

The idea was to make them more aware of how they spend their time. Each child was asked to divide their day — hour by hour — into different activities like school, sleep, homework, meals, travel, screen time, and play.

When we stepped back and looked at their clocks, a pattern emerged that was both insightful and, to some extent, concerning.

                                         

What Do They Crave More Time For?
When asked what they wished they had more time for, two answers topped the list — Play and Screen Time.
Play, that age-old language of childhood, and screens, the modern child’s window to the world. The desire for more unstructured, joyful moments came through clearly. Whether it was outdoor play, imaginary games, or simply ‘doing nothing,’ children seemed to be yearning for freedom — the kind that allows them to just be.

What’s Eating Up Their Time?
The answer was unanimous across most children — Tuitions.
After a full day of school, many children are swept straight into the world of extra classes, academic pressure, and structured learning. What’s left behind is very little time (and energy) for play, hobbies, or even family bonding.

For some, even meals and bedtime routines are rushed. There's a race to keep up — with peers, with parental expectations, with exams — and in that race, the quiet joys of childhood are often pushed to the margins.

A Gentle Reminder to Adults
This exercise was more than just about time management. It was a peek into the inner world of children — what they value, what they miss, and what they silently cope with.
It nudged us, the adults in their lives, to ask:

  • Are we over-scheduling our children?

  • Is academic success becoming the only definition of productivity?

  • Where is the time to dream, create, and unwind?

The Way Forward
Let’s encourage balance. Let’s leave room in their 24-hour clocks for play, imagination, laughter, and rest. Because in those seemingly ‘wasted’ hours lie the seeds of creativity, emotional well-being, and joyful learning.

After all, childhood is not a rehearsal for adulthood. It is a precious phase in itself — and every hour of it counts.

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