In today’s society, being bored is often seen as wasting one’s precious time and is quite negatively perceived. As parents, many of us prefer filling our child’s agenda with multiple activities and leaving no free time, as some children have difficulty dealing with boredom.
Boredom is a great moment to help develop your child’s creativity and autonomy.
BEING BORED IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP SKILLS
Being bored allows your child to choose what interests him and thus develop his autonomy, a great quality for both school and work. Autonomy allows the child to function without constantly needing the support and approval of others.
Boredom is also an opportunity for creativity. To counter it, the child uses his personal resources and listens to his inner world, his desires and tastes. Boredom allows him to develop his fantasy world and creativity.
Finally, boredom can help the child see reality in a different way. A child who is bored notices details that would escape him if he was busy.
LEARNING TO PLAY ALONE
For some children, playing alone can be hard as they haven’t developed the skills to do so. Here is a list of simple steps you can try:
– Start by helping your child with his activities. Sit down and play with him, as he needs to play with others first.
– Once your child is playing, slowly remove yourself, staying in the same room.
– Comment on what your child is doing, by saying things like “This tower is really high!” or “You choose beautiful colors for your drawings!”
– Let your child finish his activity on his own. By doing so, he will have more confidence in his own abilities.
– When needed, suggest that he draws a picture or makes a craft for a friend; this will add an extra motivation.
– Once his confidence is higher, your child will be able to play alone and will no longer feel the need to play beside you. He will also have the ability to choose his own activities without your help, escaping boredom in his own.
ENCOURAGING INITIATIVE
Leave place for free time in your child’s schedule. These moments might be annoying at first, but will become enriching moments of spontaneous activities.
When your child is bored, encourage him to take initiatives. Say things like “I’m sure you’ll find something interesting to do!”
Sources :
Naitre et grandir.com. Scientific review : Solène Bourque, psychoeducator. Research and Writing : Naître et grandir Team. Updated : April 2015. http://naitreetgrandir.com/fr/etape/1_3_ans/comportement/fiche.aspx?doc=bg-naitre-grandir-enfant-ennui-jouer
