The course begins and apart from preparing all the school material, it is also time to think and plan what extracurricular activities we want our children to do. The choice of the number of activities is conditioned by the working day of the parents, but also by the belief that “doing nothing” is socially very poorly valued.
On many occasions, our children tell us that they do not know what to do and that they get bored. Faced with this boredom, parents feel uncomfortable and usually react by immediately looking for activities with which they stay entertained during the afternoons. However, with this we are depriving them of a free space, in which they have a playing time, to think and let their imagination fly. Thus, when they have free leisure time, they do not know how to manage it and turn to parents to find solutions.
Giving them everything done and planned does not help them, it makes them more dependent and overprotected. Not only does it not help them, but it also generates even more stress and frustration for parents due to accumulated fatigue.
Children must learn to get bored because:
- Only then can they connect with themselves
- They will learn to know each other
- Enhance your imagination and creativity
- Increase your flexibility and time control
- Increase their autonomy
Creativity should not only be understood as imagination to create art but also to face the solution of daily problems and conflicts, so it will make them more decisive people.
Parents must have patience and learn with them that getting bored has very positive aspects. It must be seen as an opportunity and not so much as a deficit.
Does this mean we should ignore when our children tell us they are bored and don’t know what to do? No. We must accompany them, validate that they feel this way and provide them with materials, toys, books, puzzles, plasticines, or games that they can do alone so that they can develop their autonomy and creativity. If they insist on wanting to play with the parents, we must reach an agreement and propose that they first play alone because you cannot be with them and then they will spend some time playing together.
In the case of extracurricular activities, it is important to dedicate time to them since they are spaces in which socialization and fun are encouraged so that their development is allowed.
- How many activities are recommended? There is no exact number, although following the same line, we should not overstimulate them. You must let them have moments of boredom.
- What are the best options? We must consider the preferences of our children since they should not be understood as an obligation but as a moment of fun.
If after reading this article, you have doubts or need help to manage the boredom of your children, you can contact us, and we will guide you.
Laura Maymó Gallurt
Psychologist Col. No B-03427
