Long live boredom! Why letting children get bored is essential to their development

“I’m bored…”, “I don’t know what to do…”, “Can we watch TV?”, “Want to play with me?”… These are just a few examples of phrases that frequently come up in everyday family life. Boredom has become a hindrance, a state that must be minimized as much as possible. The anxiety of boredom… In a society obsessed with efficiency and constant stimulation, parents face the perpetual challenge of keeping children occupied and stimulated constantly, at all costs. However, the science of child development shows that boredom actually brings them numerous benefits and is even a powerful ally for their healthy development. Yes, really…

But what is boredom?

Boredom is defined as a transient emotional state in which a child is unable to engage in a satisfying activity despite some motivation to do so. Contrary to popular belief, it does not necessarily reflect a lack of resources, but often a phase of cognitive and emotional transition where the child must mobilize their own internal capacities to act.

A boon for creativity

Boredom is an opportunity to dive into one's imagination. These quiet moments are precious for children to develop their creativity and resourcefulness. They naturally encourage them to activate their ingenuity, to seek new ideas, and to imagine games or stories. The saucepan lid becomes a knight's shield, the cardboard tube a telescope in search of treasure islands, the living room curtain a superhero's cape. Boredom becomes freedom and a catalyst for creative thinking, inviting children to explore original solutions when they lack immediate external stimulation.

This link between boredom and creativity is documented by many education experts: when children are not constantly guided or distracted, their minds can wander and create , transforming everyday objects into playgrounds.

Discovering one's emotions

Often surrounded by a supportive environment, structured and protected, children rarely have the opportunity to be alone with their own thoughts and confront their own feelings. Boredom forces them to face themselves. This is an important moment of introspection, allowing them to reflect, get to know themselves better, and understand and regulate their emotions.

The absence of external stimulation encourages him to return to his thoughts, to identify what he is feeling, and to learn to endure unpleasant sensations without being immediately distracted.

This management of internal states is a key tool for developing emotional resilience and patience, skills that have a positive impact on long-term social and academic adjustment.

Learning to tolerate emptiness

Our modern societies and their technologies leave little room for moments of solitude, even for the youngest, who are constantly bombarded with stimuli. While an inactive child often worries some parents, it is actually an opportunity to learn to play alone, to cope with absence, to tolerate frustration, to endure silence, and to take time for oneself.

A child who does not immediately find stimulation will often end up generating their own creative or productive activities.

It is therefore important not to view emptiness as a source of anxiety and to cultivate the joy of these moments. Learning to tolerate boredom will help children manage more difficult situations in their future lives and will promote academic perseverance and the ability to solve complex problems.

A step towards autonomy

Being bored is also a way to learn on your own, the perfect opportunity to make choices, develop initiatives and gain confidence in your abilities: finding an activity, imagining a game, solving a problem or simply exploring an idea.

These periods of total independence are enriching and constructive for the child, who will be better equipped for the decisions to come, which he will inevitably have to face.

By tolerating the initial discomfort of boredom, the child exercises executive skills essential for their future development.

Observing the world

Developing oneself also involves observation and listening. Every child likes to imitate the behaviors of those around them. Their immediate environment is a vast source of inspiration, from which they will draw their personality traits, values, and attitudes.

During moments of boredom, a child can focus on their surroundings, analyze details, listen to sounds, and reflect on what they see. This active observation stimulates attention, encourages curiosity, and enriches their understanding of the world, undeniably fostering respect for their environment and those around them.

In search of passions

Unlike structured activities, boredom encourages children to reflect on their own desires. There's no script, no instructions. They can then explore what truly motivates them: crafts, drawing, reading, building games, or simply daydreaming. It's up to them to discover their own desires and wishes.

An introspection that transforms into an investigation, which constitutes a real opportunity and often becomes the starting point for lasting passions and in-depth skills.

Slow down the pace

Faster, always faster… it's practically the credo of our modern societies. Yet neuroscience shows that boredom is not a passive state. On the contrary, it can activate the brain's default mode network, a mode of operation associated with free thinking, the integration of learning, and the consolidation of memories. This network is particularly active when the mind is not focused on an external task, allowing the brain to "sort through" past experiences and generate new ideas.

There's no need to try and fill a child's already busy schedule. To thrive, they also need to experience boredom, especially to learn to slow down. This will allow them to breathe, calm down, settle down, and even rest. They need to learn to do things well and independently, rather than rushing and following instructions!

Conclusion: boredom is a dynamic to cultivate, not to avoid

What if, ultimately, boredom was primarily an unbearable perception for parents, under pressure in this frantic race towards success, fulfillment, and individual achievement?

Boredom is not a void to be filled at all costs, but a moment rich in potential to develop creativity, autonomy, emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, and the ability to observe and explore.

Parents and educators can support these moments by providing quiet spaces, free materials (paper, pencils, books, modules), and by tolerating initial complaints without intervening immediately.

In a hyper-connected world where everything is instantaneous, learning to be comfortable with boredom is a powerful educational tool that prepares children to become creative, thoughtful, and independent adults. Children will derive great moments of play, enjoyment, and personal growth from it. So, let them be bored… and long live boredom!

 

Sources:

• cabpsyenfant.fr
• Early Childhood Education Research & Review
• University of Virginia
• Building Brains Together
• Growing Seeds Learning Academy
• KITS