{"id":71257,"date":"2024-01-03T18:10:52","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T23:10:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=71257"},"modified":"2024-01-03T18:10:52","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T23:10:52","slug":"mum-dad-im-bored-how-to-teach-children-to-manage-their-own-boredom-these-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/mum-dad-im-bored-how-to-teach-children-to-manage-their-own-boredom-these-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Mum, Dad, I\u2019m bored!\u2019 How to teach children to manage their own boredom these holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

As the holidays progress, parents will no doubt be hearing a classic line from their kids: \u201cI\u2019m boooooored\u201d.<\/p>\n

We all get bored from time to time and there is nothing particularly wrong with feeling bored. In fact, it is a useful emotion because it is helps us reflect and make changes to what we\u2019re doing or our surroundings.<\/p>\n

However, many children are still learning the skill of managing boredom. If you\u2019re wondering how to respond when kids complain they are bored (without just letting them watch more TV), here are some ideas to try.<\/p>\n

Boredom helps kids learn<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Boredom is mildly unpleasant, but it\u2019s OK for kids to feel bored. In fact, boredom provides the context for children to develop a number of important\u00a0skills<\/a>, including:<\/p>\n

\u2022 the ability to tolerate less-than-ideal experiences<\/p>\n

\u2022 manage frustration and regulate emotions<\/p>\n

\u2022 creative thinking<\/p>\n

\u2022 problem solving, planning, and organisation<\/p>\n

\u2022 independence and self-sufficiency.<\/p>\n

These skills are central to children developing a sense of control over their own happiness and wellbeing.<\/p>\n

Why do children complain about being bored?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Typically, children\u2019s lives are structured and organised for them. When presented with unstructured time, children can have difficulty\u00a0thinking of and organising things to do<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If children\u2019s complaints of boredom always result in adults entertaining them, then children may not get an opportunity to learn to entertain themselves or generate their own ideas.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, children seem to reject every idea that we suggest. They may have learned that this leads to a long discussion about what to do, or in us (eventually) engaging in an activity with them. In both circumstances, the child does not have to manage their own boredom.<\/p>\n

The trick is to help support children generate their own ideas (rather than suggesting ideas to them).<\/p>\n

How can parents help kids learn to manage boredom?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s a lot parents can do to prepare for boredom and support their child learning to manage their own boredom. Here are some ideas:<\/p>\n

Create a \u2018menu\u2019 of activities.<\/strong>\u00a0Talk to your child about what they enjoy doing, their interests and their passions. Develop a menu of activities with your child that they can refer to when they\u2019re bored. Younger children may wish to illustrate theirs.<\/p>\n

Try to list activities your child can do without your input \u2013 a mix of new things and stuff they\u2019ve enjoyed in the past. Include some quicker activities (such as colouring, building a furniture fort, or having a teddy bear picnic), as well as longer-term projects (such as a big puzzle, reading a novel, working on sporting skills). Put the menu where your child can refer to it.<\/p>\n

Get everything ready.<\/strong>\u00a0Make sure you have the toys, equipment and materials available and accessible for your child to do the stuff on their list. Toys and activities do not have to be expensive to be fun.<\/p>\n

Prepare your child.<\/strong>\u00a0Let your child know the plan for the day and the length of time they\u2019re expected to do the activities on their menu. This will reassure them they\u2019re not going to be on their own \u201cforever\u201d. A series of pictures to illustrate the day\u2019s schedule might help. Before a period of free time, discuss two or three rules (for example, \u201cPlay quietly until mum and dad are finished and if you need to speak to us, say, \u2018Excuse me\u2019 and wait until we\u2019re free\u201d).<\/p>\n

Talk about rewards.<\/strong>\u00a0At first, you could offer a reward (such as a special activity with you, a favourite snack or some screen time) if your child occupies themselves appropriately for a period of time. Phase out rewards over time by gradually increasing the amount of time your child needs to occupy themselves, and then offer them only every now and then.<\/p>\n

Prompt your child to use their list.<\/strong>\u00a0If your child tells you they\u2019re bored, redirect them to their list. Keep this conversation short and to the point.<\/p>\n

If necessary, help your child get started.<\/strong>\u00a0Some children might need help to get started in an activity. It may be necessary to spend a few minutes setting them up. Try not to do everything yourself, but rather use questions to help them to problem solve. You might ask, \u201cWhat are you going to make? What will you need to make that? Where do you think you\u2019ll start?\u201d<\/p>\n

Encourage your child.<\/strong>\u00a0When your child gets started on an appropriate activity themselves, offer praise and attention. You might say, \u201cYou found something to do all by yourself. I\u2019m impressed!\u201d Stop what you\u2019re doing from time to time to praise them for keeping busy. Do this before they have lost interest, but over time, aim to gradually extend the amount of time before commenting.<\/p>\n

Spend time with your child.<\/strong>\u00a0While it is important for children to learn how to manage boredom, children also need to feel valued and know their parents want to spend time with them.\u00a0Make time for your child<\/a>\u00a0and be available to them when you are together.<\/p>\n

Author Bio:<\/strong> Trevor Mazzucchelli is Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at Curtin University<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the holidays progress, parents will no doubt be hearing a classic line from their kids: \u201cI\u2019m boooooored\u201d. We all get bored from time to time and there is nothing particularly wrong with feeling bored. In fact, it is a useful emotion because it is helps us reflect and make changes to what we\u2019re doing […]\n… learn more→<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[95],"tags":[295370],"coauthors":[11733],"class_list":["post-71257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-boredom"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\u2018Mum, Dad, I\u2019m bored!\u2019 How to teach children to manage their own boredom these holidays - World leading higher education information and services<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/world.edu\/mum-dad-im-bored-how-to-teach-children-to-manage-their-own-boredom-these-holidays\/\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\u2018Mum, Dad, I\u2019m bored!\u2019 How to teach children to manage their own boredom these holidays - World leading higher education information and services\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As the holidays progress, parents will no doubt be hearing a classic line from their kids: \u201cI\u2019m boooooored\u201d. 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