Nata Kay - The Choice Era. Part 1

Despite the fact that nothing was actually happening in the room, that was really fascinating. Peaceful atmosphere was kind of addictive, anyone couldn’t help looking at these cute kids again, again and again. Mona and Harry were not an exception.

«Their peers are playing nearby,» Emma said by shifting her gaze from Mona to Harry. «We take into account their biorhythms. If there is a time when a child is active, he is awake. We do not put anyone to bed unless biological imperative needs it. The sleep schedule is drawn up immediately after the examination.»

Emma didn’t deceive them, the other kids were right there, beyond the wall. Another room with light walls and neutral floor was literally filled with children’s laughter. Children were playing with all kinds of toys – cars, tiny trains, dolls, stuffed bears, kittens, giraffes and other animals. Some children were playing with each other or trying to build something with colorful blocks.

There were two adult tutors in the room, a man and a woman. They hardly interfered in kid’s activities. They didn’t offer any toys. They only kept order and showed their attention when kids demanded it.

The children weren’t almost interested in the appearance of three other adults in the room. A few of them looked at the strangers with a bit of curiosity, but they quickly got back to their toys.

«As you see,» said Emma. «We do not impose the tutor’s community on kids in order not to make them more important than parents. Moreover, children are free to choose what to play with. Many researchers believe that namely toys may form a child’s consciousness of a boy or a girl, but we do not take part in it.»

Harry tried to listen, but the kids hypnotized him and made him smile. So tiny, so pure, so sincere. In adult life he missed this childish clumsiness and impartiality. He missed kind eyes free from everyday problems. He missed such a simple humanity, after all. But all this was more than enough there in the room.

Mona was even more hypnotized. She heard only a few words from Emma, but she stood there smiling and sighing softly from time to time.

«There is no strict uniform in the kindergarten,» Emma continued in a calm tone. «We only provide parents with official recommendations for kids’ clothes. Unfortunately, we have to prohibit dresses and skirts. Trousers and pants don’t push to choose a sex at an early age, so we ask parents to purchase them.»

Harry wasn’t embarrassed about the ban on skirts at all. He believed Emma and all those who developed all the requirements for parents did the right thing. If a child chooses female in future, she will have time to enjoy dresses at a later age.

«Now, if you’re ready, let’s go to the floor down,» Emma said and continued the tour.

On the floor down kids over two years old were divided into groups. Some were engaged in intensive physical activity, something in between aerobics and dancing. Others were completing childish puzzles on large monitors. Some of them were sitting in a circle and communicating with each other as clear as it was possible for their age.

Their clothes were mostly comfortable and seemed as cute pajamas of different colors, and although the children’s short hair looked the same, it didn’t diminish the adorable sight.

«At this age we educate children mentally, physically and socially,» Emma continued the explanation. Then she briefly and concisely described the developmental characteristics of each party.

Harry barely had time to memorize information. He was afraid he would miss something since he had to raise his own child. Of course, one day his kid will go to kindergarten, but the educational and teaching process should be maintained at home in the evenings and on weekends.

Emma noticed a little fear on Harry’s face.

«Do not worry,» she smiled. «So that you don’t forget anything, we will definitely give you electronic manuals and video trainings specially designed for parents. In addition, we regularly hold meetings for parents, including for future ones, answer any questions and provide with the fullest support. We will not leave you behind.»

Emma sounded strong. Harry exhaled a breath in relief, and after the tour of this floor Emma led Harry and Mona down.

The floor dedicated to preschool children encouraged the Nelsons even more that kids were in good hands in kindergartens. Numerous studies, well-defined programs… What could be better?

Here children weren’t allowed to show any gender characteristics too. Surely, a few already had some distant thoughts about who they would like to be, but society suggested children to think a little longer and better, because the choice of gender was to become one of the most important in their lives.

«Tell me,» Mona asked. «Do you still call children with the same names as they are called at home? I heard about the option of number assignment…»

Harry stirred up right after Mona. This question worried him too. When Harry first heard about this on the news, he was a little bewildered.

Children were given names at birth. These names kids could change after sex identification surgery. The majority used to change names, because the original seemed too average, not suitable for men and women. Names given at birth were never asked in adulthood. They existed only within the framework of the documentation, nothing more. No wonder Harry didn’t know Mona’s original name. And Mona didn’t know his. It didn’t bother them at all.

«We call children the same names they are called at home,» Emma assured. «The replacement for numbers wasn’t supported and approved. The authorities decided that people cannot be left without names, it would be inhumane. We’re not robots. Who kids will grow up if, for example, they are called 532-TP most of the time? This question worries a lot of parents, but believe me, such changes are unlikely to ever come.»

«I’m glad to hear that,» this time a sigh of relief was heard from Mona. «I also think the replacement for numbers is madness. How did anyone even come up with such an idea?..»

The tour continued. Emma, as promised, showed the guests the common and service premises. In the kindergarten everything was kept as neutral as possible with the addition of bright accents.

In addition, everyone followed all security levels. Accidents and incidents were almost excluded. At the same time cameras installed everywhere were controlled not by people, but by computers. It was forbidden to observe the wards, of course, apart from emergency and controversial situations, and it should be noted, that and they were extremely rare.

«So,» Emma led the Nelsons out into the courtyard to the outdoor playground. «Children are guaranteed safety and privacy at the same time. Children and parents have nothing to worry about.»

The playground was a real paradise for children of all ages. Swings, a trampoline, slides, horizontal bars, rope ladders, a small carousel… there was everything for a wonderful playtime and physical activity.

The soft cover of the playground prevented injuries from the fall, the bumpers on the slides and the trampoline, as well as the seat belts on the swing, excluded other dangerous situations. And the playground was a delight for eyes like icing on the cake. It was clean, bright, with many interesting details. It attracted attention of not only children, but also adults. It was some kind of separate world with elements of fairy tales.

Playgrounds returned to the cities relatively recent. For a long time children and adolescents had been ignoring physical activity, primarily facilitated by electronic devices and virtual reality, which had consumed the world.

Actually devices didn’t disappear, their development continued, but the interaction of the younger generation with technology was limited to insure physiological health and vitality. Harry, Mona and many others were totally up for it.