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All their innocent folly, playing, and childish actions are to be left perfectly free and unrestrained as far as they can consist with the respect due to those that are present.

Locke is adamant in Some Thoughts Concerning Education that children be allowed to act like children. He thinks that their high spirits and what he calls their "gamefulness" are important qualities that will serve them well if used correctly. Their abundant energy can be harnessed for learning and other useful practices. In addition, he sees no reason to take away the joy that these qualities bring to children. Though it is true that these qualities would not be good to find in an adult, there should be no worry that the qualities will persist if they are not rooted out in childhood. These "symptoms of the age" will fade away naturally as the child matures.

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