What do I do with my kids for the summer?

Is It Truly Paradoxical for Boredom to Breed Productivity?

Dr. Dona Matthews, a developmental psychologist, fondly recalls her childhood summers filled with endless days of sunshine, rain, and imaginative play with siblings and neighborhood friends. Occasionally, there were organized activities, but for the most part, they were left to their own devices to fill the long summer days.

In her words, "Those hours and hours of do-nothing time—long before today’s technology options—gave us a chance to think about who we were, what we liked doing, what each of us did well, and what we wanted to learn more about."

Dr. Matthews, along with her five siblings, went on to lead diverse and fulfilling careers. She attributes some of this success to the "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer." She argues that unstructured, device-free time allows for self-discovery, self-actualization, and consolidation of learning.

Can We Really Allow Our Offspring to Embark on Aimless Pursuits?

In our achievement-oriented society, the idea of allowing children to engage in aimless pursuits might seem counterintuitive. We may feel the urge to enroll them in summer camps, tutoring programs, or other structured activities. However, Dr. Matthews contends that children need unprogrammed time to "replenish their spirit and find their creative wellsprings."

She highlights the importance of free play in developing essential life skills such as emotion regulation, persistence, and self-discipline. "Summer's a great time for creative regeneration," she writes, "and can be a springboard to an academic year, and a lifetime, of learning, achievement, and fulfillment."

Are We Truly Resting When Our Neural Networks are Still Firing?

The concept of "restful neural processing" during daydreaming may seem contradictory to us as medical professionals. But research suggests that this type of mental downtime is crucial for children's brain development. It allows them to process information, make connections, and develop new ideas.

As Dr. Matthews notes, "Device-free do-nothing time—in the context of warmth, stimulation, and social support—is good for our brains in a whole lot of ways."

In essence, giving our children the gift of boredom this summer may be one of the best things we can do for their overall development.

Reflective Questions:

1. Can you recall a specific instance from your childhood where unstructured time led to a creative breakthrough or personal discovery?

2. How might the concept of "restful neural processing" during daydreaming be explained to a parent who is concerned about their child's academic progress?

3. What are some practical ways you can incorporate unstructured time into your child's summer schedule, while still balancing other commitments?

4. In what ways might the pressure for children to be constantly engaged in structured activities be detrimental to their development?

Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. And don't forget to rate this post if you found it helpful!