I've come across this NYT article on "underparenting" in multiple circles now, and a few different things have stood out to me. But one that I want to really take the time to unpack is this:

"The research tells us that the mind gets busy when it is left alone to do its own thing."

For me, it’s the power of boredom as a tool for children’s development.

And that’s just it. Boredom is a tool, not a problem. It doesn't need to be “fixed” through overscheduled classes, apps, or “good behaviour.” Unfortunately, we’ve got so caught up in ensuring our children are well-looked after, well-accomplished, and well-behaved, that we’ve forgotten the beauty of just, well... letting them be. Let them figure out what they enjoy, how they would solve problems, and how they want to occupy themselves.

Why Boredom Matters in Early Childhood Development

In the early years, especially up to age 5, boredom creates a space for children’s imagination, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation to thrive. When a child is bored, they learn to self-soothe, think independently, and engage in free play, which are all critical for healthy brain development. Instead of relying on constant external stimulation, they develop the ability to turn inward, fostering creativity and autonomy. Over time, these skills contribute to greater self-confidence, perseverance, and even better attention spans, setting the foundation for success in school and later in life.

Here’s another nugget from the article:

"More important, following adults around gives children the tremendous gift of learning to tolerate boredom, which fosters patience, resourcefulness, and creativity."

I love this because many parents feel uneasy with the thought of letting their child be bored. But counter to the societal pressure to always provide stimulation, boredom is essential to raising mindful and creative children.

And look, I get it. Parents' schedules are over-packed, and you cannot be expected to look after and entertain your children every minute they are at home. But that's the beauty of it - you don’t have to. Let your children figure out how to entertain themselves. Like the article said, let them watch you work, let them pick up a book they wouldn’t usually touch, let them learn how to engage with new people, or even let them make or break something in the process of exploring.

So many families come to me concerned about their child’s "short attention span." A large reason for that is because they have got so used to being offered an alternative as soon as they feel bored. When children are accustomed to constant stimulation, they miss the opportunity to engage deeply with tasks or objects, staying only at a surface level. Boredom helps them dive deeper, offering them time to experiment, fail, and learn in the process.

Introducing Boredom into Your Child’s Routine

Start small. Introduce your child to 15 minutes of “bored time” to begin with. You can provide general suggestions, like “Why don’t you write a story or draw a picture about our trip to meet your cousins?” or leave some open-ended toys like building blocks around. It’s important to remember that if your child doesn’t want to engage with what you’ve left out, that’s perfectly fine!

Maybe they’ll lie on the sofa with their legs in the air, daydreaming or humming a tune, and that’s great. Maybe they’ll start on some homework, or decide to build a fort with pillows. What’s key is to allow them the space to create, explore, or even rest without needing external input.

So here’s my advice to you: Let your child be bored. Let them have nothing to do. Let them find ways to entertain and engage themselves. It may take some time, but once they do, you’ll be amazed at what they can come up with when left to their own devices (psst, without devices).

If you’re feeling intrigued or unsure about how this would work for your family, Peas and a Pod can work with you to provide parenting support tailored to your unique context, to help the whole family thrive. Get in touch to know more!