time
Rousseau's insistence that one should aim to "lose" time during the child's early years sounds as revolutionary today as it did in the 18th century. (Some 18th century pedagogues recommended that seven-year-olds to spend 9 hours a day studying 5 hours in class, 4 hours alone.) Note however in Book III (para554-554 below) that a later stage of Emile's natural development will call for a full and busy curriculum.