It's a beautiful day, you've taken your kids to a great playground, and suddenly they are bored. Ever happen to you? Me too.
There is a lot to unpack with "boredom" and I agree with the premise that unstructured, open-ended time is so important for kids.
However, many of our kids with packed schedules and constant entertainment may need help getting unstuck from this overwhelming feeling. Kids with language and/or executive functioning difficulties in particular may need help finding some structure to get started on independent play.
Try this:
Open a list randomizer such as this one from random.org/lists/ You can also use index cards if you prefer to go screen-free.
Brainstorm as many items in the playground as you can with your child. This is a great language exercise because you will need to be specific! Which slide? The green curvy slide. Which rope climb? The tall red rope climb. Try to get to at least 15 objects/actions around the playground.
Randomize or shuffle the list, and challenge your child(ren) to go to each location/object on the playground in the order listed. Start with three, and see how high they can go!
Reflect: did you notice how it helps to look around the playground while listening to the list? Here, we are activating visualization skills - and this very same strategy can help in a range of real-life tasks. Did it help to chunk together any items that were similar? Chunking is another great strategy to support working memory.
Once your child(ren) is actively engaged and moving around the playground, there is a good chance they can build from there. Sometimes just getting the play started goes a long way.
Have fun!
Laurie