“Mum, I’m bored!” Sounds familiar? Many parents would say that this phrase brings about a feeling of dread in their hearts. Unlike times of the past, before hand phones and iPad came into existence, the current generation of parents were able to entertain themselves through activities like sports, or movies. Now, this generation of hybrids (individuals who grew up with Nokia 3310 when they were in secondary school, and who played snake only when there were no good movies out in the theaters) cannot believe that their younger beings are unable to sit still for a mere five minutes without being absorbed in an entertainment of any sort.
Who can blame them though? We (parents included) have evolved to be an I-generation, focusing on gadgets such as the iPhone, iPad, iMac. We cannot put the blame on any one entity, rather, it is the collective effort that society has done that has resulted in our over-reliance on technology.
So, how can we avoid a situation where taking away the I-gadgets will result in our technologically dependent youths declaring a war against boredom? The Sunday Times, printed on 9 December 2018, offers some solutions.
Stick with screen-time limits
We have to admit that there must be a certain amount of technological use allowed. Instead of banning the usage of technology, restrict the screen time allowed. This will also be beneficial during school term so the kids do not face withdrawal symptoms from their decreased amount of screen time allowed.
Get the kids involved
Let the kids plan their own time. Whenever we notice that they are bored, let them solve their boredom themselves. If they require help, make suggestions and let the child choose. Those not only allows their Creative juices to flow, it also helps them feel a sense of independence. You’ll be surprised at what they can come up with!
Avoid over-scheduling
“Less is more” – a full timetable may not necessarily spell out growth in a child. Besides the focus on academics, a holistic development is achieved through outdoor play and allowing kids to pursue their interests. Parents should instead motivate children to plan a daily timetable to help them achieve a well-rounded education.
Free play
Kids nowadays face tremendous pressure from school, be it to complete assignments on time, or to achieve top grades for their examinations. Imaginative, open-ended play allows children to be freed from the stresses that they may face in school. Activities of free play include something as simple as art and craft, where kids can use recyclable materials to construct items as per their imaginations allow them to.
Encourage family time
Time is precious, and during the school term, it is almost impossible to spend quality time together as a family. Use the holidays to build family traditions such as making a family scrapbook. A child’s call for boredom could be that he or she is merely looking for an excuse to spend some extra time with the parents. Time to schedule regular time to build lasting memories with the kids!
While it may be distressing to face kids who are bored, sometimes, their boredom does them good. This is especially important to help nurture the artistic and creative sides of a child. Let’s avoid over-planning and encourage more self-development to help families and kids build better relationships among and between themselves!
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