Over our Thanksgiving break I was really looking forward to relaxing with my family. There would be no schlepping to dance lessons, tennis lessons, acting lessons, or art lessons There was no karate practice. There was no homework. My husband and I were delighted. My daughters, naturally, complained.
After two rounds of family board games, the kids begged to swipe screens on the iphones. When I said no, they cried, “boredom!” It seemed like my over-scheduled girls had forgotten how to occupy themselves and I could not remember the last time they needed too. Like most children of this generation, my girls have less unstructured time than I did. In a recent study researchers found a 25% decrease in time children spent playing and a 55% decrease in time they spent conversing with others at home. Our kids even have less time to veg on the couch to watch television (a 19% decrease).
My mother used to say, “Only boring people are bored.” I hated it at the time but there seems to be some truth in that thinking. Boredom can motivate us to use our creativity, problem solve, and self regulate- all vital skills that lead to success.
Annie and Bridget were forced to free play and the results over those three unscheduled days were amazing.
Annie and Bridget were forced to free play and the results over those three unscheduled days were amazing. The girls produced several skits, designed and constructed paper doll clothes for the characters in the Little House Series, choreographed dances, and returned to books they were too busy to finish. Most importantly, they girls experienced flow, a term used in positive psychology to describe complete immersion in an activity.
I invite all parents to take another look at their children’s schedules. It is quite possible your children could learn a lot more about success with less lessons and more free time.