As parents we always worry about whether we are doing enough for our kiddos or if we are failing them completely. Just me? No, you too? Oh good, I’m not alone!
We worry about how many extracurricular activities we are offering them. We manipulate our schedule to fit school, sports, robotics clubs, math tutoring, organized play dates…the list truly seems to be never ending. We also spend time wondering if our children are doing enough. How are they spending their down time? Are they reading enough books at their reading level? Are they prepping for the next big test or the next team tryouts?
It’s time to stop worrying about if our children are doing enough and to start making sure they are thinking enough. I know, I know, easier said than done. How do you even make sure your kiddo is thinking enough? Well, that’s simple. Give them ample opportunity for boredom. What?!? Let them be bored??
Yes! Boredom is the precursor to creativity. If you never give your child (or yourself) the opportunity to quite their mind without the constant input from electronics, school work, and activities they will never have the time to truly think. In the quiet moments of boredom is when a budding artist will pick up a paintbrush, a future author will pen their first short story, and a fledgling photographer will frame their first photo. A child who is allowed to live with their boredom for a little while will be afforded the opportunity to become comfortable with their own thoughts and develop an ability to flesh out their own ideas.
So, the next time your child is building with their LEGO or PlusPlus, climbing a tree, playing in the mud, tossing a ball up in the air repeatedly, or sitting quietly staring into space; don’t interrupt. Watch them, study them, enjoy them; but don’t worry about them. I assure you there is learning in loafing, even if we don’t know how to quantify it or test it.
The Superpower of Play 