Sometimes as parents it feels like we need to constantly entertain our kids to prevent them getting bored. But boredom may sometimes be exactly what kids need.
As children many of us were often left to entertain our selves and our siblings. We were expected to find our own fun and come up with our own games. Now as parents we are bombarded with information about all the educational games we need to play with our children, the crafts we should be doing with them and the developmental steps we should be encouraging. All of this structured education leaves little room for children to explore their imagination and gain independence.
Giving children the opportunity to experience boredom can be beneficial in encouraging:
- Creativity
- Imagination
- Problem-solving skills
- Independence
Without constant stimulation, children are forced to use their own resources to entertain themselves, which can lead to the development of new skills and interests. It also gives them time to reflect and appreciate the world around them.
Boredom can encourage creativity, imagination and problem solving skill in children by providing them the opportunity to explore their imagination and come up with new ideas. When children are given free time to play and explore they are more likely to engage in imaginative play and create their own games and activities, encouraging their problem-solving skills. Boredom can give children the opportunity to explore and discover new interests and hobbies on their own, which can ultimately lead to greater confidence and self-reliance.
Some ways to encourage children in independent play can be with arts and crafts, building blocks, make-believe play or outside play. Resist directing children on how to play with a toy or activity. Let them take the lead, sit back and watch them discover.
As our lives get busier it’s important to find a balance between boredom and structured activities.
