Why 'I’m bored' could be the best thing for your child

As school holidays stretch on, parents facing repeated cries of "I’m bored" are being urged to resist the temptation to fill every quiet moment with screens.

Counselling psychologist Charl Davids says boredom is not something to be avoided, as it helps children develop creativity, resilience and independence.

"It's actually a critical life skill and a habit that we have to cultivate with our children now already, because if we don't do that, they actually don't have the time in the fast-paced life that we're in. If they're going into adulthood, because they don't know how to be bored, they don't create their own kind of hobbies and those kinds of things to just get away from the hustle and bustle of life, and then that leads to depression and anxiety."

While acknowledging that boredom can become risky in overcrowded or unsafe communities, Davids says the solution lies in organised play, parental involvement and community initiatives.

Simple activities such as reading, physical games, and creative play can protect children from negative influences, whilelaying the foundation for emotional and cognitive development.

Davids, who is also director of the Centre for Student Counselling and Development at Stellenbosch University, warns that constant digital stimulation is weakening attention spans and problem-solving abilities, effects he says are already visible among university students.

He argues that unstructured time allows children to reflect, imagine and learn to manage themselves – skills that are essential later in life and in the workplace.

To listen to Charl Davids in conversation with CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit, click the audio below: