Why being bored isn't a bad thing!

Unstructured and unscheduled free time will be something that most children will face during the lockdown phase of the Coronavirus pandemic. It is impossible to keep children occupied at all times and boredom can set in. Many children will find this a stark contrast compared to their previous structured school day where they lived very full and exciting lives. As we get to grips with the new reality, perhaps it is good to also consider how we can embrace boredom.

Can there be benefits of boredom?

Research suggests that boredom can be the pathway to igniting your child’s imagination. Imagination is a wonderful gift for children, beginning from the age of 2 and has a lasting impact throughout adulthood. Pretend play allows children to turn a stick into a magic wand, a box into a time machine, a bubble bath in to a swamp or a sand pit into a dinosaur bone excavation site!

Imaginative role play develops social skills, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, expressing feelings, building self-confidence and working through fears. When children re-enact situations where they take on the role of another character, they are developing an understanding and empathy for others.

Imaginative and creative play often present opportunities for children to practice cognitive development, problem solving and thinking outside the box. If humans never dreamt and imagined, we would never have created so many new and innovative inventions, solutions and theories which have shaped our lives today.

How to nurture your child’s imagination?

• Providing props, toys and art materials.
• Tolerating a mess, allow children to make dens, nests, castles, space ships and caves using house hold materials.
• Join in, say ‘yes’, let your child take the lead, add details to enrich the play and ask imaginative questions sparingly. 
• Remember play doesn’t have to be realistic, it can be nonsensical and silly.
• There are no limits or boundaries when it comes to using the imagination as long as it is safe and age appropriate.

Here are some fun ideas to get your child’s imagination going:

• Design your dream house using card to make it 3D.
• Create, draw and design your own business. For example a restaurant: What would the menu be? What would the restaurant look like?
• Let children dress up in adult clothes.
• Go camping or have a teddy bear picnic in the living room.
• Let the children put on a show.
• Play the game ‘the floor is Lava’.

When boredom sets in, it is sometimes frustrating for both the child and parents. It can be too easy to turn to electronic devices such as TV or a tablet. While these instruments can have benefits, creativity can be limited. Instead, encourage your child to explore outdoors (your garden, balcony or, if possible, the woods), have an arts and crafts box for them to discover a hidden talent, or a science toolbox to investigate. The ideas are limitless. Remember that your child has been taken out of a routine, that they have become very familiar with. It is a confusing and disrupting time. Let children have fun while they learn and remember even Albert Einstein said “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions”.

This blog may also interest you:
Why it is important to structure yours and your child's day at home!