Based on my observation as an Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Educator at a variety of services, I witnessed bored children were anxious and they did not know what to do. They came to me every 10 minutes and asked me about the time until they were picked up by their parents.
Sometimes some of them endangered themselves by going to the places that were not safe for them and out of bounds.
Most children could not do some risk assessments before playing.
Boredom can cause children to do unsafe activities. This might cause injuries to themselves. Example: children went to the bushes area that is out of bounds without asking permission from their educators. They (children) might forget that snakes can be in the bushes area and there are deadly snakes in Queensland, especially during mating season. There maybe other types of reptiles there, as well.
How to help children to overcome their boredom?
The best way is to redirect them (children) to do some fun and safe activities before their boredom escalated.
It is important for educators to know what caused the boredom. For example, if a child's best friend does not attend the service, often the child will be bored. Understanding this, the educator will provide those children who are missing their friends with activities to redirect them to focus on positive and safe activities.
I could see that most of the children who are attending the OSHC program need guidance and direction on how to enjoy their play in a safe environment.
It will be better if the service also provides a variety of decent toys and tools for children to play with.
Sometimes bored children might yank their peers or educators' chain to get rid of their boredom. Educators need to be aware of this. Educators need to be careful so that their emotions will not kick in as a result of a child's negative behaviours.
Educators need to guide the victims of the harassment to be calm, So that they can think clearly in order to act appropriately.
The key to create a boredom free and safe environment for children is educators supervise properly, observe actively, stay focus on the task and step in at the right time to minimise any children's behaviours that may trigger unwanted conflicts.
©Tina Adi
Sometimes some of them endangered themselves by going to the places that were not safe for them and out of bounds.
Most children could not do some risk assessments before playing.
Boredom can cause children to do unsafe activities. This might cause injuries to themselves. Example: children went to the bushes area that is out of bounds without asking permission from their educators. They (children) might forget that snakes can be in the bushes area and there are deadly snakes in Queensland, especially during mating season. There maybe other types of reptiles there, as well.
How to help children to overcome their boredom?
The best way is to redirect them (children) to do some fun and safe activities before their boredom escalated.
It is important for educators to know what caused the boredom. For example, if a child's best friend does not attend the service, often the child will be bored. Understanding this, the educator will provide those children who are missing their friends with activities to redirect them to focus on positive and safe activities.
I could see that most of the children who are attending the OSHC program need guidance and direction on how to enjoy their play in a safe environment.
It will be better if the service also provides a variety of decent toys and tools for children to play with.
Sometimes bored children might yank their peers or educators' chain to get rid of their boredom. Educators need to be aware of this. Educators need to be careful so that their emotions will not kick in as a result of a child's negative behaviours.
Educators need to guide the victims of the harassment to be calm, So that they can think clearly in order to act appropriately.
The key to create a boredom free and safe environment for children is educators supervise properly, observe actively, stay focus on the task and step in at the right time to minimise any children's behaviours that may trigger unwanted conflicts.
©Tina Adi
