<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m bored\u201d is an expression that many parents and teachers hear all too often. In ancient times, when I was a child, my parents\u2019 response to my boredom was simple, \u201cWhy are you telling me?\u201d or if I was more insistent, \u201c Go bang your head against a wall \u201c.<\/p>\n
The message was clear; it was my responsibility to manage my boredom. No arranged playdates, no suggestions to watch TV or play computer games, no money to go to \u201cthe mall\u201d, no worry or concern that boredom was a real problem. The only alternative they offered was chores around the house.<\/p>\n
They were confident that I would figure it out. Interestingly, they were right. Children, when left to their own devices, will figure out how not<\/strong> to be bored. They don\u2019t need our help. In fact, recent research has indicated that the management of boredom is important to the development of the child. Self -management of boredom has been linked to creativity, problem solving, imagination, adaptability, and general feelings of competence and self-confidence. The thought that adversity is important to development is one that many parents struggle with. Boredom, failure, frustration, mistakes, sadness, and the effects of social pressures, are often emotions that we try to keep our children from experiencing, inadvertently avoiding the benefit these experiences might offer. These \u201cunhappy\u201d moments, in many ways are connected to our ability to solve problems, persevere, find motivation, and in general become more confident and independent. Avoiding the realities of life, even at a young age, can leave us unprepared for what so many of us call \u201cthe real world\u201d. Our responsibility as educators and parents is not to prevent our children from having that experience, but rather to make sure that we in some way control the frequency and intensity of these \u201cdark side\u201d events.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cI\u2019m bored\u201d is an expression that many parents and teachers hear all too often. In ancient times, when I was a child, my parents\u2019 response to my boredom was simple, \u201cWhy are you telling me?\u201d or if I was more insistent, \u201c Go bang your head against a wall \u2026 Continue reading