Why are children always saying, "I'm bored," or "that's boring" ?

1. 69

   puregraceposted 13 years ago

   Why are children always saying, "I'm bored," or "that's boring" ?
   
   It seems they say this when there is plenty for them to do, like clean their rooms or help someone out, but choose not to.
   How should we encourage them to see that the boredom comes from within, their attitude to the reality in front of them?

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2. 63

   prettydarkhorseposted 13 years ago

   that is true, children get bored easily. get a scheduler and put their checklist there. You must engage them and assign a checklist for them works that way, brush their teeth, take  a bath, read some, fix their room, playtime etc... Then tell them "good job" or put a star at their scheduler at the end of the day, until they will be encourage to do those things and get busier

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3. 60

   Right On Timeposted 13 years ago

   Because the modern media teaches kids that to be happy you need to be entertained 24 hours a day, seven days a week...by the media. It offers the problem and provides the only "solution". That's why I don't have children, as a parent you gotta be kind of a gatekeeper, psychologist, financial consultant, dietitian and personal trainer. I admire anyone who signs up for it.

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4. 53

   businessman35posted 13 years ago

   Sometimes kids say this in a way where they would like you to suggest an activity. It could also be a tester to see what kind of attention you will draw upon the phrase (that could go with any phrase). Kids are very over looked in their intelligence. I’m not saying this in any discouraging manor but I think kids use reverse psychology in everyday life without them or adults noticing. If searched for its clear that it’s almost second nature. (You will identify almost it all the time). Next time reverse the statement into a question. (Well why are you bored. What makes this boring?) From there you most likely could spark up what’s truly on their mind. Let’s face it; kids must have something on their mind if this particular statement is brought up.

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5. 69

   puregraceposted 13 years ago

   Could it be we've trained them to do things quickly because of our hectic schedules and now they choose not to do long tasks or hard tasks? Or have we made it too easy for them by doing so much ourselves? Or do they feel overwhelmed because we haven't expected them to do the tougher kinds of things more often?
   
   Lots of questions as I think through this topic.
   
   I was never bored as a child, and am still not bored.

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6. 0

   Butch Newsposted 13 years ago

   Kids have short attention spans and they do get bored easily.
   
   Offer kids a small reward to do chores and let them see that you too do chores.  Cleaning a room is not something anyone gets excited about, and helping others is most often seen as work by most everyone including kids.
   
   Parents need to set constant examples and few do.
   
   Be a good example to kids around you.  Show some excitement when doing things, even sweeping the floor.  Make it a game to see who can do it better, or faster.

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7. 60

   tinawehaposted 13 years ago

   Kids watch too much television. Send them outside to play in the yard. If you don't live in such a safe neighborhood, go outside and play with them.
   
   Or get a board game and play that with them.  I really like the Labyrinth Maze game from Ravensberger.  It might be called the Amazing Labyrinth.  If they're not old enough for that get the Rivers, Roads and Rails puzzle game from Ravensburger.  I think that is the name of the company that makes these...it's a German company.  You can find it at fatbraintoys.com. 
   
   I don't make any money from pushing these board games, but I really like both games.  I used to say I was bored all the time when I was young...and I really was bored.

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8. 59

   Lori Allisonposted 13 years ago

   I'm taking Early Childhood Education right now and we are learning "best practices" for care-giving. Off the bat I want to say that we are taught never to say "GOOD JOB" or offer rewards. This only makes the child strive to impress, or hurry past a learning process to produce something an adult with will happy with. You have to keep in mind that when a child is young their parents and caregivers are number one in their lives. They want to do what they can to make them happy. I work at a center and the children who move from activity to activity are the ones that aren't being engaged or challenged with what they are doing. Basically I know a lot of parents are really busy with work. housework, caring for more than one child, and making dinner etc. But when a child comes to you and says they are bored it's because they want you to play with them. They need to be challenged and engaged.For example, your child is playing with blocks for a while and you see them start getting bored , approach them and start giving positive feedback "wow, look how tall you make that, can you show me how you did it." By doing this youll be engaging them in the activity longer, challenging their skills and abilities and be giving them the proper praise and acknowledgment they are seeking from you. It might be boring as anything watching the kid build a tower... but it is so good for them to feel what they are doing is noticed. Then they might stay and try new things with that blocks. All in all not getting bored as easily. If you don't have time look into a nanny or newly graduated ECE. They will have the latest "best practice" knowledge. There aren't there to replace you or challenge your views but you might be surprised with the little things that can make a child more engaged without a computer or TV in front of them.

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