Benefits of boredom
- Encourage imagination and creativity
- Teaches 'grit':being bored is an important way to develop this 'grit'.
- Develops problem-solving skills: this encourages initiative
- Builds confidence: they can try new things, test their limits and take risks, which will all build their confidence.
- Improves mental health: gives children the opportunity to think their own thoughts and get to know themselves better.
- Creates a sense of belonging.
How to make the best of boredom
- Have a daily activity detox.
- Nominate some time a day where the family has no structured activities, and make it up as you go along.
- Give them a creative, open-ended task like buiding an obstacle course or setting up a treasure hunt. This will inspire creativity.
- Don't mind the mess: you can make it a condition that your child has to help tidy up afterwards.
