If I may judge by my own recollections, the important and formative impressions of childhood rise to consciousness only in fugitive moments in the midst of childish occupations, and are never mentioned to adults. I think periods of browsing during which no occupation is imposed from without are important in youth because they give time for the formation of these apparently fugitive but really vital impressions.
Source:The Autobiography of Bertrand Russell, v.１, chap. 1, 1967
More info.:http://russell-j.com/beginner/AB11-050.HTM