Finding balance between school and play…
Written by A. Simon, June 2019, MN USA
©️Minnesota Kid’s Yoga Co., LLC - Blog
Balance is key to so many things in life, and most recently, balance between school and non-academic activities is becoming a hot topic …
In an article written by The Atlantic called, “All Work and No Play” a big discussion is presented around the rise of kid’s depression and too much academic focus.
This article states, “For more than fifty years, children's free play time has been continually declining, and it's keeping them from turning into confident adults.”
As a Kindergarten teacher myself, I have seen time and time again, kids becoming anxious, unmotivated, and over-stimulated from too much pressure on academics, and not enough time to simply be a kid who plays, socializes, and does silly kid things.
So, if your a parent or teacher reading this article, and you are now wondering, how do I help my child? The following ideas are for you.
6 Ways to Help Kids Have More Fun
Help them find hobbies outside of school. So often, kids who are academically strong, fail to find niches in other areas of life. A well balanced student isn’t someone that is simply smart, but someone that is confident in multiple ways including the arts, sports, social clubs, and family events.
Let kids do things without a plan. If your child wants to run around the backyard, and they don’t have a ball or toy, let them. Discovery play, or imaginary play, is such a wonderful introduction to a creative adult mind.
Guide kids into trying new things. When kids are exposed to new things, the so called “bar” they set for themselves is lifted, and their ability to explore and overcome increases.
Let kids fail. When we let kids fail, and learn to pick themselves back up, they learn that with fun comes times of dissapointment. Not all people can be winners 100% of the time. BUT, they will learn how fun it is to work towards a goal, and find small joys along the way.
Teach kids yoga! Yep… I bet you saw that one coming. But really, yoga helps kids slow down, process their emotions better, and become more mindful of the way their body feels. Plus, it really is fun to do. When kids do yoga, they are taking in all the health benefits, and becoming happier-healthier little beings.
Don’t pressure kids on tests or school projects. Let kids learn how much effort is needed on their own. If a deadline comes, and they forget to finish something, or study for a test, they will learn the hard way, and learn to organize their to-do’s. Less pressure also makes learning more fun for the kids in the long run too.