Dreaded words... usually because it tends to devolve into a chorus of whining, chanting voices: ("MOOOOOOOMMMM..... Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mommy? Mom?")
There are several approaches to addressing boredom:
1) Put them to work: "Great! Because I have some chores that need to be done. Grab a broom please."
2) Redirect to other activities: "Okay, see how big of a tower you can make using only books and blocks! When you are done we can measure how tall it is."
3) Incorporate them into whatever you are doing, when possible: "Well, I'm working on a grocery list - can you be on fridge duty and help me check if we still have these items or if we need to get more?"
4) Help them solve their boredom by encouraging them to come up with a solution themselves: "Okay, you are bored. What are you going to do about it?"
Generally, we go with #4 first - we want to encourage them to realize that being bored isn't a passive state of being, but a choice. You can choose to be bored, or choose to do something. Some days it's enough to simply ask them, "What are you going to do about it?" and watch them take ownership of the problem themselves and find a solution on their own.
But other days they JUST can't THINK of ANYTHING to DO... what to do?
Enter a helpful tool: the Boredom Buster Box.
TA-DAA!
We store the box within easy reach, but keep the contents concealed to maintain some degree of novelty when boredom strikes.
Inside, the Box is loaded with all sorts of fun stuff:
- Games/cards that can be played with 1-2 people
- Dry erase crayons/markers with white boards and dry erase workbooks
- Pattern blocks
- Lite-Brite (can you believe they still make those?)
- Silly Putty
- A sticker album and a page of stickers to add to the collection
- Crayons, markers, and paper
- Flash cards with interesting pictures of planets/animals to flip through
- Whatever can be safely played with or investigated on one's own with minimal supervision.
But that wouldn't fit on a label.
Also inside: a small container labeled "Boredom Buster Challenges"
Inside are slips of paper with fun "challenges" for kids to try - here are a few examples:
- Make a tent with a sheet in the living room
- Dress up as pirates and go outside to hunt for "treasure." Watch out for sea monsters!
- Have a tea party, invite your 3 favorite stuffed animals
- Find 5 leaves outside and make a crayon rubbing
- Find your favorite book and act it out with puppets
- Build a race track for your cars using books and blocks
- Draw a picture for a grandparent to send in the mail
- Set up a toy store - sort toys by size/color/shape
- Build a sandcastle
Note: All Boredom Buster Challenges are made way more fun with an adult participant joining in. :)
What do you do to battle boredom?
love this! The ideas on paper for them to pick is a great idea.
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