Why I love to hear my children say “I’m Bored!” ~ by Kassandra "Blaze" Wisey
As a mom of three, and a child educator for over 20 years, it’s been my instinct to fill every waking moment with activities for my children. Afterall, there is so much to learn and do, why waste any time? Our society tends to support this construct, with children that are over-scheduled with soccer, and dance, and music, and tutoring, and, and and…. As parents, we start to fear the words “I’m Bored,” striving to fill every waking moment with ways to keep our children entertained. Well, I’m here to put a stop to the parental guilt that I know I have felt, mentally calling myself a “lazy” or “uninvolved” parent when I send my children off to “go play” without concrete activities to occupy them. Of course, time with adults, parents or otherwise, is important as well; It’s all about balance. So read on to allow yourself a break, and to ultimately help your children learn important life skills through unstructured play time.
Unstructured play is essential for children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Play is much more than just simple fun – it allows them to explore, create, and learn in a way that is self-directed and open-ended. Unstructured play time is so important because it promotes:
Creativity and Imagination: When children are given the freedom to play without adult direction, they are able to tap into their own creativity and come up with their own ideas. This helps them develop their imagination and unlock their creative potential, which will serve them well into the future and help them grow into a successful and fulfilling adult life.
Important Social Skills: Interactive, unstructured play with other children allows them to practice problem-solving, decision-making, and negotiation skills. They learn how to work with others, resolve conflicts, and learn crucial lessons in teamwork and cooperation.
Physical Skills: Unstructured play provides constructive physical challenges which help them develop their proprioception, gross, and fine motor skills. This is especially important for young children, who are still learning to control their bodies and develop coordination.
Environmental Awareness: When children are given the freedom to explore their environment, they are able to learn about the world around them in a natural and organic way. They may discover new things, ask questions, and develop a sense of curiosity and wonder.
Their Sense of Self: Through unstructured play, children are able to discover their own interests and passions. By nurturing their sense of independence, free play helps children develop a stronger sense of self-identity and self-confidence.
Of course the unsaid, added benefit is that unstructured play time gives parents and educators some much needed self care time, to catch up on things, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee alone!
Simply put, unstructured play time is an essential part of childhood. It allows children to explore, create, and learn in a way that is self-directed and open-ended. It helps them to develop important social skills, physical skills, and a sense of self. For all these reasons and more, providing children with plenty of opportunities for unstructured play is an important feature of effective parenting and caregiving techniques that will benefit your child for years into the future. Remember that if your children are not used to unstructured play time, it might take a moment for them to push through the “i’m bored” feeling, and start to tap into their inner entertainer.