Have you ever heard the advice to never deprive your child of boredom? It may seem strange, but research suggests that boredom can actually be beneficial for children’s creativity and the development of passions.

One example of this is Japanese Marie Kondo, a well-known expert in organization and interior decoration. As a child, Kondo was often left alone with nothing to do but read home decor magazines. This boredom sparked a passion for household organization and coordination, which eventually led her to write the book “The Magic of Arranging” and develop the popular Konmari method. Kondo’s books have sold millions of copies worldwide and she has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.

A study by the British Psychological Society found that boredom stimulates creativity because it allows us to daydream and think deeply about ideas. However, many children are provided with constant entertainment, which can prevent them from experiencing boredom and hinder their creativity. Einstein is credited with saying that creativity is the result of lost time, and writer Neil Gaiman has said that boredom is necessary for the mind to tell itself a story.

In order to foster creativity in children, it’s important to allow for periods of boredom and to encourage independent thinking and problem-solving. By giving children the space to be bored and find their own interests, we may be able to help them discover their passions and develop their creative potential.

Don’t take boredom from your child, as you may take everything with them.