Kids want to ban homework and let animals visit them in school

THE top things children would do to make the world a better place include banning homework, helping those in need more, and taking better care of the planet. A poll of 1,000 six to 16-year-olds found 42 per cent would introduce longer playtimes, build more parks and playgrounds (43 per cent), and make everyone happier by giving them more time to rest (37 per cent). The top things children would do to make the world a better place include banning homework and helping those in need more Credit: Getty While 83 per cent think more time for drawing, making and inventing things would make people happier. More than eight in 10 (83 per cent) would make it their mission to help others more if they were in charge instead of grown-ups. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! And 92 per cent feel it’s important to make sure nobody feels left out or alone – so would include everyone in games (31 per cent) and sit with people who are lonely (34 per cent). A spokesperson for the creative play and stationery experts, Maped Helix UK, which commissioned the research, said: “Kids have the most fascinating imaginations, filled with care and compassion, but also plenty of honesty. Around 83 per cent think more time for drawing, making and inventing things would make people happier Credit: Getty 92 per cent feel it’s important to make sure nobody feels left out or alone Credit: Getty “What’s so heartwarming from this research is just how instinctively children want to look after each other – whether that’s helping someone in need, making sure nobody feels left out, or simply putting more time aside for play and creativity. “It really shows that, at their core, children aren’t thinking about big, complicated fixes – they just want a kinder, happier world where everyone feels included.” The study also showed if children saw someone being picked on, they’d tell a teacher or grown-up (46 per cent), help them or stand by them (37 per cent) or ask someone else to help (10 per cent). When asked what is the nicest thing to do when someone feels sad or lonely, 31 per cent said talk to them, 28 per cent would make them laugh and 19 per cent would ask them to join in. Most read in The Sun While just 14 per cent of the kids polled via OnePoll.com thought grown-ups always listen to children’s good ideas, 75 per cent admitted adults did listen – sometimes. However, nearly one in 10 (eight per cent) of the youngsters said adults never listened at all. Playing with friends (66 per cent), doing something fun with family (61 per cent) and getting a treat or something special (55 per cent) were the top three things to make their day really great. But laughter was not far behind since nearly half (49 per cent) said this would make their day. When it comes to who can make the world better 43 per cent said children were best for the job although the most popular answer (70 per cent) was ‘everyone working together’. Whereas the ‘people who make the rules’ only came in at 34 per cent, indicating kids think they’d do a better job of it. Of the 1,000 parents also polled 85 per cent said their child’s outlook on the world was positive. While 88 per cent agreed kids today care about improving the world, 42 per cent said their child often talks about the positive things they’d do and 78 per cent reckon their improvements would be better and are more imaginative than those of adults. Mostly, they said kids just want to make everyone happier (44 per cent). Nearly nine in 10 parents (88 per cent) said their child is creative and 94 per cent said free time is important for their happiness. The top three things they felt would make the biggest difference to their young one’s happiness would be less academic pressure (39 per cent), more outdoor time and more opportunities to get creative. The spokesperson for Maped Helix said: “The findings highlight just how positive and thoughtful children are about the future. “It’s a powerful reminder that when children are given the space to share their ideas and get hands on, their creative minds and outlook is not only optimistic, but genuinely inspiring.” TOP 10 THINGS KIDS WOULD DO TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE: Help people in need more No homework Take care of the planet Build more parks and playgrounds Longer playtimes More time to rest Have animals visit school More time to play sport Sit with people who are lonely (Jointly) Include everyone in games / have days just to do arts and crafts Comment now