Sir: One of the common concerns of parents these days is that their children should be good at studies and that they must complete higher education. However, it is important to know that aptitude, intellect and interest in education vary with age. Children usually have a great desire to learn and are curious to know about new things. Therefore we find children asking typical questions every time they are confronted with something new. Children between the age of six and 11 like to stand out in studies and feel satisfied when they get good grades or win any prize at school. However, when they grow up, things change. Intellectual curiosity decreases and they are now least worried to appear well before their parents and teachers. Personal satisfaction becomes more important. They could grow disinterested in studies, which at times could adversely affect their academic performance, but that should not imply they have lost all interest in education. Another important change in adolescence depends on how they spend their free time. In normal circumstances leisure time is an opportunity to cultivate hobbies, personal interests, make new friends and do activities involving adventurism. Free time helps release tensions inherent in this age. The bottom line is that alongside the theoretical education acquired within the four walls of academic institutions, what lie outside these boundaries is equally important for adolescents to learn and improve their personalities. ARTURO RAMO Teruel, Spain