Let Your Kids Be Bored... and WHY that's a GREAT thing

Let your kids be bored 

A lot of us feel guilty when we don't have an activity planned for our kids, or we have to do something for ourselves. When we need to get ready for the day or do the dishes... we feel like we HAVE to find a way to occupy our child. Usually, this means we put on a show or give them a tablet. 

It is not your responsibility to fill every moment of your child's time! Boredom is an opportunity. 

> It's an opportunity to try new things, experiment.

> It's an opportunity for your kids to take initiative, be independent.

> It's an opportunity for their brains to WORK better, be creative and independent thinkers! 

Boredom is not a waste of time. It gives a chance for kids to recover from their overstimulated world and not be 100% reliant on YOU or screens to be their source of entertainment.

 

“Boredom operates similarly to feeling happy or excited. It results in you trying to approach something that, in this case, is more meaningful or interesting. It encourages people to explore because it signals that your current situation is lacking so it’s kind of a push to seek out something new.”

  • Using imagination

  • Day dreaming

  • Getting creative

 So when your kids are bored, how can you support them without providing an entertainment source…

Here are some ideas:

Bored at home?

  • Offer choices

  • Open-ended play

  • Give them a challenge

  • Involve them in what you are doing

  • Play outside

  • Pull out a new task

  • Rotate toys 

Bored in the car?

  • ABC game

  • Quiet game

  • I-Spy

 Bored without any toys?

  • Hand clapping games (down by the bank)

  • Thumb war

  • Poking hand

  • Yoga

  • Race

  • Hunt for a hidden toy

What else would you add?

Child Development, Learn Through Play, The Rising Lava Parenting PodcastLauren PaceboredComment