Boredom might just be one of the most valuable experiences you can give a child. Until they are faced with this empty space, they will never learn to let their attention uncoil to its full potential.
The Benefit of Experiencing Boredom
Sometimes boredom is one of the greatest experiences you can give a child. In fact, it must be experienced during the early years if they are to have any chance of surviving in a world where attention is constantly under assault. Like a stabled horse, the child whose mind is constantly entertained develops a short and restless attention span, always reined back in too soon. Fed with answers, protected from failure and steered through possibilities, how can they learn the deep satisfaction of breaking through, the awe of discovery and the pleasure of finding their own connection with life? They grow as they have been nurtured. The pathways they will need later to come into their own skin and fulfill a life of real purpose must be laid down early.
How to Help Your Child Experience Boredom
As a parent, one of your most important roles is to protect and guide your children’s attention. To help them see that the beauty arises in those idle moments. To support them to discover that wisdom and creativity can be uncovered in stillness. These will be critical skills as they grow up living in a noisy and distracted world.