The summer holidays are here and parents are busily planning activities to keep their children occupied. But there are actually benefits to your child being bored. Michael Ungar Ph.D states that 'Children who experience a lack of programmed activity are given an opportunity to demonstrate creativity, problem solving, and to develop motivational skills that may help them later in life'
He says to promote this creativity and imagination we must ensure their environment helps them solve the problem of boredom themselves. This does not include electronical equipment to suppress the boredom such as ipads, television but maybe computers could be used if its a creative activity. But if your struggling with things to do and want to keep it simple and frugal then we have put some activities together for you.
We wanted to set everyone a little summer challenge! Send us pictures of your activities by email or bring them into nursery, make a scrap book and even add your own extras to the bucket list. You could also share them with us on facebook, instagram or twitter……...hope you have lots of fun with the activities and hope your enjoying our lovely summer!
Blow Bubbles - blowing bubbles is excellent for speech development (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1522042/Speaking-is-easier-for-children-who-blow-bubbles.html)
Play with play dough - It helps children with their fine motor control as well as many other benefits (http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/06/benefits-of-playing-with-play-dough.html)
Go swimming - check out swimming times at your local pool (https://www.waterbabies.co.uk/baby-swimming/benefits-of-learning-early)
Go to the park - The benefits of spending time outdoors in a park are vast, not only does your child get fresh air and vitamin D but also building on social skills and muscular development (https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/child-social-situations/playgrounds-playdates/5-playground-activities-that-can-help-your-childs-development?view=slideview)
Learn a new nursery rhyme - check out some ideas on youtube, you may even learn the moves too! (http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/how-nursery-rhymes-can-help-1804632)
Bake some cookies - always a good excuse to bake cookies! (http://growing-minds.org/documents/cooking-with-children-in-licensed-child-care.pdf)
Visit the library - supports children’s literacy development. Ensure you spend this time wisely, reading with your child and talking about the pictures and what you have read (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-french-cully/five-good-reasons-to-take_b_5134342.html)
Donate some toys - Sort through your child’s toys and encourage them to donate them, it’s a good way to explain about helping others and how it makes you feel. It helps to develop a sense of community and the value of giving rather than receiving. (http://www.parenting.com/article/teaching-your-child-charity)
Go for a picnic - The planning and preparation can incorporate so much learning, maths, literacy, language and communication but also the opportunity for your child to try new food and for you to teach them about making healthy choices. (http://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-going-picnic/)
Make a bird feeder - Supports children’s learning of the world around them, it also helps with following instructions, maths speaking and listening skills. (https://www.rspb.org.uk/kids-and-schools/kids-and-families/kids-activities/activities/birdfeeder.aspx)
Feed the ducks - Children love feeding the ducks and it builds in some much opportunity for learning (http://www.helpmykidlearn.ie/activities/0-2/detail/feed-the-ducks)
Chalk outdoors - Making marks of any form is excellent for children in the early years, whether it be in mud or with chalk on the patio in the garden. Trying giving them a brush and bucket of water after for them to build their upper arm muscles ready for writing. (http://creativestarlearning.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Mark-making-outdoors.pdf)
Make a new friend - Building new relationships and learning to socialise with others is an essential life skill which needs to be learnt. Why not come along to our stay and play session in the Summer Holidays. (https://www.netmums.com/child/toddling-to-ten-helping-them-to-make-lasting-friendships)
To read Michael Ungar 's article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/nurturing-resilience/201206/let-kids-be-bored-occasionally