Today's kids are used to being entertained by TV, video games, and computers. Many of them struggle to tolerate waiting in line at the grocery store or sitting quietly while adults hold a conversation. They grow bored fast and they're not shy about announcing their disinterest.
While some parents are left frustrated and flabbergasted by their children's inability to entertain themselves, others swoop in to end the boredom crisis fast. It's important to carefully consider whether your response reinforces your child's complaints of boredom, or helps him learn to better entertain himself.
Kids with ADHD are likely to grow bored with tasks that require sustained attention. Sensation seekers – kids who love to jump from high places or who love to go on fast rides – often struggle with slower paced activities.
All kids complain about being bored sometimes. Here are some strategies for dealing with a bored child:
1. Resist the urge to provide entertainment. If you constantly rescue your child from boredom, he'll miss out on learning how to entertain himself. So when he says, "I'm bored," respond by saying, "What do you want to do about that?" That gives him an opportunity to practice problem-solving on his own.
2. Normalize boredom. Make it clear to your child that everyone feels bored sometimes and boredom is part of life.
3. Teach your child to cope with uncomfortable emotions. Just like anxiety or sadness, feeling bored can be uncomfortable. Kids need learn coping skills that can help them manage their discomfort.
Click on the link below to read the full article
Category(s):Child Development
Source material from About parenting
