Boredom breeds creativity
A lazy Sunday afternoon ... if you're a parent or caregiver, you know this well.
If you are a parent or caregiver then you’ve definitely been here …
… a lazy Sunday afternoon of relaxation and getting some household chores done. Your kids are in the house and then they utter the two words we have all heard before: “I’m Bored!”
Even with a playroom filled with toys, kids will still bump up against boredom. When my daughters offer up those two words they know my standard response is “good - boredom breeds creativity!”
Boredom requires our children to think outside the box and get creative about ways to entertain themselves. Boredom can also promote independent play, an understanding of their sense of self, and what activities stimulate their interests.
I have also noticed that overstimulation (too much time on a screen or electronic device) can lead to boredom. It is important to give our brains a break from the constant barrage of screens, messaging and games. Below are a few of our tips to help children get out of boredom and into creative flow:
Get Outside! Nature is our playground.. When children play outside their imagination opens and anything becomes possible. A stick can become a wand and a log can become a balance beam!
Implement a Toy Rotation. By putting a few toys away, and rotating your toys every few months, what once was an “old” toy seemingly becomes “new” again.
Put on Music. When my girls are bored I will take out some crayons, markers, and paper and put on their favorite Disney soundtrack. The music elevates the mood and soon enough they are drawing and singing.
Open ended toys
Open-ended toys are our favorite kind of toys. They are the most versatile toys
Open-ended toys are my favorite kind of toys to purchase. They are the most versatile, and in my opinion they last the longest in terms of how many years a child will play with them. Open ended toys are usually simple, non-battery operated and environmentally friendly.
If you are unfamiliar with the term, an open ended toy is not bound to one form of play or another. For example, a board game such as Candyland can only function in one way. While you may change some of the rules, it is still a board game and that is its main function. In contrast, an open-ended toy can be interpreted in any way your mood desires. These are the kind of toys that breed creativity and imagination.
Some of our most favorite open ended toys are below. We’ve linked to them as well so you can check them out for yourself. Perhaps you will consider giving one of these toys for your little one’s next birthday or holiday gift. See where your child’s imagination will take them!
Creativity through clothing
When I teach I can always tell the child whose parents let them dress themselves
I can always tell which child’s parents let them dress themselves! They are usually dressed in some sort of mixed-matched pattern, perhaps a tutu or skirt over pants, or some kind of crazy color combination.
As the mother to two girls, and someone who loves fashion as a form of self-expression herself, I loved choosing outfits for my girls to wear when they were little. However, it wasn’t too long before my daughters decided that they wanted to be in charge of what they wear. In the beginning, it took self-control to keep my mouth shut in order to not try and persuade them to choose what I thought looked best (e.g., “Jules, are you sure you want to wear those hot pink checkered leggings with your orange and red floral print sweater?”)
I know that the child who dresses themselves is seizing an opportunity to express their individuality and creativity through their choice in clothing. Most of the time children are told where to go, what to do, what to eat, etc., so it makes sense that giving them agency to choose what to wear is a form of empowerment and allows them to express themselves in their own unique ways.
Now, I love seeing what my daughters are going to pick out to wear. Their creativity and boldness to express themselves is admirable, and oftentimes their looks are more stylish than anything I could have imagined. If you’re looking for a way to infuse some creativity into your child’s life, ask them to start choosing the outfits they want to wear and you’ll be amazed (and perhaps inspired) by what they come up with!
Take a look at my favorite looks worn by my youngest daughter, Juliette. She often reminds me of a 6 year old Carrie Bradshaw with her mixing and matching of patterns!