Education: This is what happens when children learn to tolerate boredom

Keeping our children busy has somehow become second nature to us. Because when children are bored, we think they come up with the stupidest ideas and something will definitely break. But with the tasks and ideas that we then present to our children, we only harm them and ourselves.

Educational scientists have known for a long time that boredom is not the problem at all. It doesn't take much to turn it into something positive!

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What matters is where the boredom comes from

The negative boredom can only arise because we have always kept our children busy before. Anyone who is constantly told from outside what they should and shouldn't do is simply out of ideas if they have to rely on themselves.

But it can also be really nerve-wracking when your child is in your ears with their “LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTy” when you actually wanted to get something done.

If the little ones' desire for activity remains unanswered, then children will come up with less glorious ideas that cause things to get damaged or broken. Almost as if they were saying, “Look, parents, this is what happens if you let me do it.”

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You notice we're going in circles here. Because so that nothing breaks, we give our children something to do again. How do you get out of there now? How do you turn boredom into a positive force that promotes creativity, imagination and self-confidence in the child and doesn't cause the household goods to shrink?

Promote positive boredom

Boredom can have very positive effects on our children's creativity and even their self-confidence. Those who are allowed to do things alone, who don't have someone constantly looking over their shoulders, are much more likely to learn to trust themselves and their own abilities.

These children's patience is often much longer. Because sometimes things don't work out the first time or even the second time. But if you have confidence in your abilities, you don't give up, but keep going until the goal is reached. In addition, children who deal with themselves are much more likely to know what they really want and, conversely, what they absolutely don't want.

Of course, this doesn't mean that from now on we parents will sit on the couch with our arms crossed and reject any attempts by the children to play with us. After all, children should 'learn to tolerate and make use of boredom'.

How much boredom is just enough boredom?

So that boredom doesn't turn into doing nonsense, you have to find the right middle ground between keeping busy and keeping busy. Because quietness in the children's room is always suspicious when the child is supposed to be busy alone, you can also let them 'do it' in the presence of others. So instead of sending it to the children's room alone, you simply let it lounge next to you on the couch, read, do crafts or even stare into space.

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Of course you can also offer him options. Then please do so only a few times and without technical devices such as games consoles, tablets or cell phones. Pens and paper, a bit of modeling clay or scissors and a pencil are all you need. You can also leave them on the living room table without comment.

And then we parents have to be strong and endure the child's boredom if he turns down the offers. Just as the child has to learn to tolerate boredom. Because even if you like to say that you almost died of boredom, in the end we all survived.

Important note at the end:The information and tips in this article are suggestions only. Every child is different and reacts in their own way. It is therefore important that you listen to your child and find out which path is best for you.