> The results here are obvious, Asian adults are kicking every other race's ass in basically every metric of success you can name.

Perhaps you need to look at more than just metrics of success. South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, and a lot of this is due to societal pressures like exams and work. While China's done what everyone was skeptical about 20 years ago, it now recognises that there's a dire lack of the "innovative spirit" - which really is part and parcel of being "free spirit".

I do agree that we can't just pander to children's interests only. Still too young, and they need basic education as a foundation. But childhood is also the perfect time to explore as much as possible, and plant those seeds of interest. Go the "Asian" way if you want, but just bear that in mind to strike a fair balance.