As children grow older and start attending school, many parents place a greater emphasis on academics, often reducing their child’s playtime. However, research shows that play is essential for cognitive development and significantly enhances brain function, making it a crucial part of a child’s learning process.
The Struggles of a “Bored” Child
“I’m so bored! I don’t know what to do.”
“There’s nothing fun here, I want to go home.”
Many parents dread hearing their children complain about boredom, especially after going to great lengths to plan an outing. It can be frustrating when children seem unappreciative of the effort made. But why do children often complain of boredom when they’re away from their phones or tablets? Isn’t play supposed to come naturally?
While play is an innate ability, like other skills, it requires support from the environment to develop. Children go through stages of development, from independent play to social play with others, and eventually to more structured games. In today’s world, children’s activities are often highly structured, and when given simple materials like paper, cardboard, or taken to a natural play area, they might struggle to know how to play or where to start.
Play’s Positive Impact on Cognitive Development
After starting school, many parents focus on academic success and reduce time spent on play. This approach, however, is counterproductive. Studies show that play has significant benefits for a child’s cognitive development, enhancing their mental abilities.
Animal studies have shown that mice who engage in play exhibit better brain development. The same is true for humans—through play, children relax and learn more effectively. Play also plays a role in brain function, proving that the old notion that “excellence comes from diligence, while neglect comes from play” is not entirely accurate.
Play helps children develop key skills, including cognitive abilities, language, social relationships, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. During play, children have the freedom to experiment. They learn from their decisions, face consequences, and experience pride or frustration, but because it’s play, the pressure is less intense. This allows them to retry and build resilience.
Through play, children also become more aware of their emotions, learning to express and regulate them. Real-life interactions, such as playing with others, are essential for emotional development, teaching children how to manage frustration and recognize the feelings of those around them.
The Benefits of “Right” Play for Confidence and Self-Acceptance
In the digital age, children often become engrossed in mobile phones and online games, which provide fast-paced, intense sensory feedback. These devices lead children to passively absorb large amounts of information, which affects how their brains process reactions.
Unlike digital games, traditional play promotes active exploration and creativity. For example, when playing with sand, children can dig holes, shape the sand, or add water without being pressured to meet an arbitrary goal. This form of play engages the entire body and promotes deeper involvement.
Good play is characterized by:
- Spontaneity: Children should decide what and how to play, without pressure from adults.
- Rule Flexibility: Rules should be adaptable. For example, a game of tag can change depending on how many players are involved.
- Process Over Outcome: The focus should be on enjoying the process of play, not achieving specific goals, such as building the perfect sandcastle.
When children feel accepted and free from judgment, they develop greater self-confidence. Those who lack confidence may fear failure, making it harder for them to make decisions.
Play holds therapeutic and developmental power. Allowing children to engage in play helps them grow emotionally and cognitively.
The Healing Power of Play
In psychological terms, play provides children with a “transitional space” where they can process internal desires and external limitations. For example, when children want something but are told no, play allows them to simulate or understand these restrictions. Through pretend play, children can experience satisfying their desires (like giving ice cream to dolls) or role-play the reasoning behind their parents’ decisions (such as saying “no” to the ice cream).
Children face numerous conflicts and restrictions as they grow, and through these experiences, they learn how to manage and understand their emotions. This gradual process is essential for emotional maturity.
Tips to Encourage Play
When children complain of boredom, parents often feel frustrated or anxious. It’s important for parents to remember that boredom is a natural expression and not a criticism. By responding empathetically, parents can encourage their children to engage in play.
Here are five tips to help support children in their play:
- Play Along Without Giving Instructions: Instead of guiding or instructing children during play, allow them to explore on their own. If a child is hesitant, parents can show enthusiasm by engaging with toys or materials themselves and offering simple encouragement, like saying, “I didn’t know you could do that!” This approach invites children to join and explore without feeling pressured.
- Get Play Started by Showing Enthusiasm: If children don’t know how to play, parents can start by demonstrating simple activities, such as rolling a ball or drawing. By showing excitement and interest, children are more likely to follow and engage in play themselves. It’s essential to create a relaxed atmosphere where play feels natural.
- Relax First, Then Play: Busy lives often make it difficult to fully enjoy playtime. Parents should try to schedule only one or two activities per day, leaving ample time for unstructured play. This relaxed time allows children to find joy in small activities like running around or exploring nature, which can be considered play itself.
- Provide a Variety of Materials and Experiences: Nature offers rich sensory experiences for children—sand, water, leaves, branches, and stones all provide opportunities for stimulating, creative play. Encouraging children to interact with these materials helps them engage in diverse types of play. For example, playing in a sandbox or collecting leaves can provide hours of entertainment while enhancing creativity.
- Make the Most of the Golden Playtime Before Age 12: Before children hit puberty, they are more open to spontaneous play and creative exploration. Encouraging play during these years allows children to enjoy unstructured activities without the self-consciousness that often comes with adolescence. As children grow, they will seek more challenging activities and social interactions, which can be supported through age-appropriate games and outdoor activities.
By supporting children’s play, parents can help them develop important life skills and foster creativity, ensuring their children experience the joy and freedom that comes from play.
