Boredom has accompanied people throughout history, and although it may seem like a negative phenomenon, its influence is actually quite positive. This is reported by Margaret Murray, an assistant professor of public communication and cultural studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
There are many factors that lead parents to occupy their children and prevent their boredom. However, it is useful to recognize the benefits of this state.
Boredom can contribute to personal development. Psychologists have found that the feeling of boredom can prompt the search for new goals and the pursuit of new hobbies. Arthur Brooks, a professor of public and nonprofit management at Harvard University, emphasizes that boredom is important for reflection.
Children who rarely experience boredom may face difficulties overcoming it in adulthood. This state also activates brain activity, develops curiosity, and enhances creative skills in a child.
When children have the opportunity to manage their time independently, they develop executive functions, including the ability to set goals and plan.
Natural selection supports those qualities that are beneficial, which explains the prevalence of boredom as a phenomenon that fosters the development of positive traits in people.
Parents should avoid viewing boredom as a problem that needs to be solved for their children. Research shows that college students whose parents are overly involved in their lives are more likely to experience depression. Additionally, young children who are given screens for calming are less able to cope with emotions in the future.
