You shouldn't feel bad about giving your kids some ‘quiet time’

Packing planned activities into your little ones day and constantly looking for ways to keep them busy so they can't complain of being bored can actually be counterproductive. 

 

Prep school leader Julie Robinson thinks that children could do with a bit of quiet time every now and then. According to her, boredom can prepare them for dull moments later on in life.

 

She thinks that "we should not fear boredom" because "quiet, reflective time is just as important as purposeful activity."

 

As for those who think that giving their child a gadget will keep them busy, she says that digital past times will not help a child develop as they should. 

 

With or without computers, our little ones will still need to follow a pattern of stages for a well-rounded development.

 

“Through making friends and suffering occasional unkindness we develop an understanding of the motives of others and by trial and error we learn effective communication skills,” she explained.

 

In a message to mum and dads, Robinson concluded:

 

“Children need space and time so that they can develop independence and take risks.”