In today’s fast-paced world, we find ourselves constantly seeking new ways to keep our children engaged and entertained.
With the ever-present screens, extracurricular activities, and a multitude of toys at our disposal, it can be challenging to allow our children to experience boredom. However, boredom in young children is not something to be feared or avoided. Rather, it is of great benefit.
Let’s explore the advantages of allowing young children to experience boredom. It can foster creativity, independence, and overall personal development. It is important to differentiate between allowing children periods of boredom from ignoring them altogether.
The need for boredom is important. It’s part of the total package of engaged and legacy-oriented parenting where we are not constantly worried about keeping our children entertained.
When I was parenting my children during their early years, this conversation was common:
Child: “I am bored!”
Me: “Oh, how sad!”
And then I would wait for what would happen next. Quite often, I discovered that a tired child is asleep, thus solving any problems of irritability related to sleep deprivation. Or, the child would be physically engaged with building a fort out of pillows, or some other random activity with whatever toys and items that were discovered around the house.
Boredom, or the experience of it, is a very important part of parenting with each child’s legacy in mind. It is in the quiet moments where the best of ourselves is allowed to develop and be nurtured.
Let’s look closer at the 6 benefits of boredom.
1. Stimulate creativity
Boredom provides an excellent environment for nurturing creativity.
When children are not occupied with structured activities or technology, they are more likely to tap into their imagination and come up with new ways to entertain themselves. Whether it is painting a masterpiece, crafting a story, or creating a fort out of cushions, boredom encourages children to think outside the box. Be prepared for some wall art!!!
These unstructured moments allow them to explore their inner world and develop their imaginative capacities.
2. Build Problem-Solving Skills
When children are left to their own devices during periods of boredom, they often encounter small problems or obstacles that require creative solutions. This can lead to the development of problem-solving skills as they figure out how to overcome challenges.
These skills are essential for their cognitive development and can be applied to all areas of their lives as they grow older.
3. Foster independence
Boredom can help children become more self-reliant and independent. When they are not constantly entertained or directed by adults, they learn to take the initiative and make decisions on their own.
This is a crucial life skill that will serve them well in the future.
4. Develop patience
We live in a world where instant gratification has become the norm. Boredom teaches children the value of patience. When they learn to wait and endure moments of inactivity, they build resilience and a greater tolerance for delayed rewards.
Patience is a fundamental virtue that can help them cope with stress and challenges later in life.
5. Encourage Mindful Reflection
Boredom offers a chance for children to reflect on their thoughts and emotions. It is during these periods that they have time to understand their feelings, contemplate their desires and interests, and meditate on things they have learned. These periods of reflection will often result in a battery of questions for parents. Be prepared!
This self-reflection can lead to better self-awareness, which is vital for personal growth and emotional intelligence.
6. Cultivate a Sense of Wonder
When children are not constantly bombarded with stimuli, they have the opportunity to observe the world around them more closely. They might notice the intricate patterns on a leaf, the beauty of a sunset, or the behavior of animals and birds around them.
It is amazing what children will notice if they are allowed to sit in the car and look around as they are being driven somewhere. Too often these days, children are on their phones and screens, instead of paying attention to what is around them.
This appreciation for the world can foster a lifelong love of learning and exploration.
An Opportunity for Growth
Boredom in young children should not be viewed as a problem but as an opportunity for growth and development. Allow your children to experience moments of idleness.
These moments will help them build creativity, problem-solving skills, independence, patience, self-awareness, and a sense of wonder. Don’t rush to fill every moment with structured activities. Give your children the gift of unstructured time to explore, discover, and develop their full potential.
There will be times when busyness is necessary. However, do not panic when there are periods of boredom, especially in younger children. Parenting with your children’s legacy in mind involves allowing them quiet moments to develop all these amazing skills, which they might miss if they are constantly busy and/or entertained.
As children go through their teenage years, it is most beneficial if they have learned how to fill times of boredom with positive activities they have been cultivating through their younger years. These activities might include:
- Reading
- Playing an instrument.
- Building or making something.
- Self-directed physical activity.
Any activity that builds their character or their community better prepares them for their amazing legacy.
If you’re reading this and you already have a teenager who does not know what to do with boredom, a discussion is necessary…especially for older teens. It is never too late for you and your children to learn how to fill times of boredom with activities that do not involve any kind of structure or screens.
Enjoy the journey!
Doc Tibbs
🌷🌼🌻
All of Doc Tibb’s books can be found on her author website!
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CORDS:
Reflections on Weaving the Tapestry of Life
Dr. Tibbs’ book is a powerful meditation on the meaning of family, identity, and community. There’s something beautiful about learning to love your culture and simultaneously cultivating in your children the awareness that everyone has a culture or heritage that is important to them.
