Summer is almost upon us! In fact, I was chatting with a few colleagues just yesterday about how it feels like we just finished March. I have no idea what happened to April, and here we are in May with about a week and a half left in school. This spring has moved so fast, it has been filled with many things — but not boredom!
“Children at Play on the Beach” by Henry Potthast (1915)
And as the well-earned summer break approaches, the faculty of Christ the Savior Academy prepares to turn the students back over to your full-time care for a couple of months. We are ready to come up for air, fall back, regroup, and prepare for another wonderful year. But we also understand – because we are also parents – that summer break can be bittersweet.
The Inevitable Arrival of Summer Boredom
Suddenly, you parents face an extra 7 hours a day to fill. And whether you relish the role of the family cruise director of fun, you know it’s probably a matter of weeks before you hear the dreaded, “I’m boooooorrrrrred,” — letting you know that summer boredom has set in.
It’s easy to think of summer boredom as a negative thing, something to be avoided at all costs, especially for children. In our busy, over-scheduled world, we often feel the need to fill every moment with activities and entertainment. However, allowing children the space and time to experience boredom holds significant developmental benefits.
Here’s Why Summer Boredom Is Important:
1. Sparks Creativity and Imagination
When children aren’t constantly stimulated, their minds naturally wander and look for ways to fill the void. This is where creativity blossoms. They might invent new games with old toys, build forts out of blankets, or create imaginary worlds. Boredom provides the mental space for “what if” scenarios and innovative thinking.
2. Fosters Problem-Solving Skills
When faced with nothing to do, children are challenged to devise their own solutions. They learn to initiate activities, plan, and overcome obstacles when their initial ideas fail. This self-directed problem-solving is a crucial life skill that structured activities don’t always provide.
3. Encourages Self-Reliance and Independence
Children who are constantly entertained may become reliant on external stimulation. Boredom allows them to tap into their own resources and learn to entertain themselves, fostering a sense of independence and self-sufficiency.
4. Develops Emotional Regulation
Experiencing boredom isn’t always comfortable. Learning to sit with that feeling and navigate it helps children develop emotional resilience and tolerance for less stimulating situations, a natural part of life.
5. Promotes Self-Awareness
In the absence of external distractions, children have the opportunity for introspection and reflection. They can become more aware of their own thoughts, feelings, and interests, contributing to a stronger sense of self.
6. Cultivates Mindfulness
Boredom can lead to a greater awareness of the present moment. Children might start to notice the small details around them that they usually overlook when busy or entertained.
7. Allows for Brain Rest and Recharge
Just like adults, children’s brains need downtime. Constant stimulation can be mentally exhausting. Boredom provides a necessary break, allowing the brain to rest and consolidate information.
8. Can Lead to New Interests
Children with unscheduled time might stumble upon new hobbies or interests simply by exploring what’s around them or following their curiosity.
The Next Step: Trusting the Value of Summer Boredom
While you can at least intellectually assent to the idea that it can be good for your children to slow down and experience a little summer boredom in their days, we’re kidding ourselves if we think that knowledge alone solves the problem. Let’s face it. Just like boredom is uncomfortable for our children, it is unpleasant for us parents, too!
The reality of summer break is that our children are transitioning from the highly structured days of the school year to a very different pace and schedule of summer. So, it might be tempting to think that you must create as much structure and schedule for summer time, too. But, what if you didn’t?
“Woman in Front of the Rising Sun” by Caspar David Friedrich (1818-1820)
What if, instead of rushing to fill every empty moment for your child, you consider allowing for periods of “nothing time”? It might be met with initial complaints, but in the long run, these moments of boredom can be incredibly valuable for their development. You can gently encourage them by having open-ended materials available, like art supplies or building blocks, but resist the urge to always provide the answers or the entertainment. Trust in their innate ability to be creative and resourceful when given the space to do so.
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