How To Help Children And Youth That Are Bored A Lot Of The Time; Bored At School
Boredom can lead to habits not conducive to learning and success. Although it may be a normal part of growing up, it can be used by the child or youth to express unhappiness. Boredom is an important part of deciding what is interesting. It can be due to a combination of: lack of engaging activities; over-stimulation and being overwhelmed by the number of choices of activities; fear/anxiety; depression/sadness; mental illness; unresolved body tension left from shock and trauma; lack of success and acknowledgement for accomplishments and having curiosity; lack of confidence; fear of making mistakes; perceptual difficulties; lack of suitable stimulation; over-expectations; under-expectations; family patterns of boredom and inactivity; lack of effective communication skills; patterns of avoiding new situations; nervous system challenges; perception challenges; nutritional imbalances; exposure to environmental pollutants. Having things to do that are important to the life of the family and thus feeling connected is important for any child or youth and is helpful in counteracting boredom.
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First, We Would Investigate |
Second, We Would Investigate |
For Long Term Support |
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On Our Own We Would Try: • Bedtime Stories and Chats • Wholesome Pleasures • Back Rubs and Foot Massages • Pets • Replace sodas, juices, sugars, fats, fast foods with water, veggies, whole grains, nuts, protein, fruit, slow food • Long Walks/Hikes • Nature • Less or No TV, Movies, Video/Computer Games |
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For Parents: • Get interested in doing what you like to do. Set an example of having fun learning and doing things. • Engage the child or youth in meaningful family activities. • Encourage drinking lots of water, having high protein meals with lots of vegetables and fruits. Avoid supplying sugars, sodas, fruit juices and processed foods. • Have shared wholesome pleasures: regular, predictable shared family meals, rituals, celebrations, religious observances–with extended family if possible. • Engage the child or youth in regular, fun, physical activity. • Find and express faith that everything will work out well. |
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Check out: www.MedLinePlus.gov; www.KidsHealth.org; www.traumasoma.com/index.shtml (very technical); www.acestudy.org. |