The Holidays are Here!

Feeling unprepared for a week of ‘entertaining the kids’? Fear not! 

All too often we fall into the trap of over-scheduling our kids (we are as guilty of that as anyone – it’s a tough habit to crack!). 

The problem is – the more children’s time is planned and structured, the less time they have to flex the muscle of creativity in building their own play, or following their own interests. 

I am yet to meet a home educated or self-directed child who has complained of being ‘bored’, yet it seems common-place for children accustomed to a school-type schedule. They begin to look to adults to direct them.

So, an invitation this week: Leave a healthy chunk of time to have ‘play-time’. Spend some time out in the woods or countryside. Have a day for art and craft WITHOUT a pre-selected goal/activity. Slow down.

It might feel strange to begin with, but before long you’ll see how children are often much better able than us, to create or select ways to spend their time.  In education, space for play is fundamental – the positive impacts on relationships, resilience, self-esteem, curiosity and creativity are undeniable.