During these trying times of the Covid-19 global pandemic, our children are being challenged more than ever, but so are their teachers, their parents and caregivers. One of the biggest challenges parents or caregivers are facing is their struggle with screen time. Many are concerned on a regular basis about the amount of screen time their children are exposed to, especially their little ones, but at a time when all their learning is online, and the whole world is shut down their concern is ever-growing.
Normally, under ideal circumstances, our children attend school for the largest part of their day interacting with peers and developing essential life and social skills. After school they either return home to play with siblings and complete their chores or go on to do extra curricular activities or participate in sports. At some time after dinner or homework, if time allows, they may watch a movie or play on their tablet but seldom for hours on end.
Now, circumstances have resulted in an almost a flip-flop effect on their day, where they now spend the majority their time on a computer or tablet for online learning and completing tasks. But worst of all, they're bored. They are tired of playing with their siblings, tired of seeing the same four walls day in and day out, and even tired of their parents. And so comes that ever-dreaded phrase: "I'm bored!"
Fifty years ago I believe we would not have heard this phrase as frequently as we do today. Modern technology has resulted in a society spoilt by instant gratification. Hungry? Use and app and withing 30 minutes you've got a delicious hot meal at your door. Miss a friend? In an instant you can give them a video-call and chat away for hours as if they were right next to you. Want a new dress? With a click of the button you can have it dropped off at your door the very next day. Want to see what happens next in the movie? Just skip ahead to the good parts. So, when considering this, it's only natural that children today get bored more quickly than ever before and have a limited attention span.
Too often we too run out of ideas, often times putting pressure on ourselves to constantly entertain our children. This leads to that struggle of screen time. They've been on screens all day and now they're begging for more, and with parents also having their own tasks and work to complete it's easier to say yes than to come up with an activity to keep them entertained. And this is completely understandable and there is no shame in that. These times are so challenging for everyone and we are all just doing our best to make it through to the other side.
The trouble comes in that we want to help our children become the best versions of themselves and excess screen time doesn't necessarily help achieve this goal. While modern conveniences allow for instant gratification to make life easier in certain parts, it's not something that is present in all areas of life. Children need to learn from a young age how to entertain themselves. That same boredom that parents may fear is exactly what will help shape them into more successful people. That boredom helps to nurture creativity and problem-solving skills. If they're bored, encourage them to play with toys they haven't played with in a while in a location they tend to avoid. Don't give them an activity or tell them what to do, but rather allow them to brainstorm ideas for activities. The challenge will be to be careful not to dampen their process. If they come up with some crazy idea that make you want to immediately intervene and say "No!", step back and see what happens. Unless they're really going to injure themselves or cause damage, give their imagination a chance to go wild and explore new things. Let them play with unconventional objects in unconventional places. Build a fort in the kitchen using blankets and towels. Play in the bath tub with Tupperware and paint. Jump around in muddy puddles and run through sprinklers with clothes on. The point is to give them a chance to experience things for themselves. They'll soon learn the consequences and benefits of their choices. Most importantly they'll develop skills that will help them for the rest of their life!
So the next time you're child tells you they're bored, don't feel stressed about having to come up with ideas on how to entertain them. Challenge them to use their imagination and build their creativity. It may take a few tries and you may have to help get them started, but once they start exploring the capabilities of their own imagination, they'll soon learn the possibilities for fun are endless!
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