“I’m bored”, my answer, “Good, now do something to change it.” We live in a world of instant gratification. Being bored generates creativity. Crayons and paper, a good book, running your toes through the long grass, using your imagination.
My mind wonders back to a time when tablets and Netflix was not a part of our world. There is a constant struggle between doing too much and not doing enough when it comes to our children, the need to “busy” their day. A lot of parents have lost focus on letting children daydream, forgetting that this is essential to their mental and emotional development. Boredom creates the desire to find something new. Imagination needs boredom to come alive.
I am not saying that technology doesn’t have it’s place. But find alternatives, encourage other boredom busters, that encourages activity. There are creative ways such as through online yoga for kids, and educational programs as well. But going to the library, swimming, going for a walk, delving into the absolute beauty of a spiderweb, these are so worthwhile. This first five years of a child’s life are the most formative, don’t narrow it down to a ten inch screen.