we played on very dangerous sites which had been bombed in WW2, admittedly when you are young, you think you are invincible, and didn't see any danger. Playgrounds with every conceivable game, hopscotch, ring a ring o roses, skipping, jacks, marbles. I am not sure children today do those things. with the advent of modern technology they don't need to move outside their front door. Competition was encouraged in schools, not thought of something bad, and those who didn't like games were often left to their books if that is what they wanted. Perhaps there is a bit of nostalgia going on, it all looks so rosy, but would rather my childhood than those children i see walking around, looking like mini me of their parents, plugged into i pods and electronic games.