Dr Lyn O'Grady

Good to reflect on this when we’re tempted to blame technology, iPhones and social media for children not playing.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Nm24i7AXN2NbvvPN/?mibextid=WC7FNe

I've noticed a worrying trend in our kindergartens. More and more children seem to struggle with imaginative play, creative art, and problem-solving.

I have been seeing more and more 4-year-olds at free play time, instead of diving into imaginative scenarios or creating cardboard/blocks/mud pit structures, many sit or stand waiting to be told what to do next.

This observation isn't unique to me. Research by Kyung Hee Kim (2011) shows creativity scores in children have been declining since the 1990s.

I believe we've created some of this situation without intending to (me included).

In our rush to prepare children academically, or our rush to purchase toys that are 'educational' we've reduced time for free play and creative exploration.

We've given our kids toys that come packaged inside cardboard boxes, rather than just letting them enjoy the cardboard box itself!

But it's not too late to change course. By embracing unstructured play and allowing children to navigate "boredom," we can reignite their creative spark.

It might be messy, it might be noisy, it might be chaotic, but it's in these moments that true innovation happens.

I can assure you, that building their creativity each day feels hard at the start, but in a few weeks you'll see your child enjoy play more, and you'll then be able to watch their excitement grow with common every day resources like my kids building a boat yesterday with an old container, straws, spoons, and elastic bands.

I've prepared a handout called "I'm Bored" to help educators and parents transform moments of boredom into opportunities for creativity. You can access it in our free online community here: https://play-move-improve-online-community.circle.so/join?invitation_token=647e98e1a2355e92458aefe994236d1b242c29d6-13c935a2-02c9-4cad-b582-defaa069c3e8

Low cost talk from well known psychologist and parent educator, Steve Biddulph.

https://www.facebook.com/673349469396922/posts/4666235473441615/?d=n

The Fully Human Parent - Steve Biddulph ONLINE - Manningham To care for your children well, it helps to be in a good place yourself. In this brand new talk, recorded at his home in Tasmania, Steve brings a whole new way to understand your own mind, and listen to its’ deep down signals. This is SUPERSENSE – the part of our mind that quietly whispers to us...

https://theconversation.com/5-ways-parents-can-help-children-adjust-to-being-at-school-after-months-in-lockdown-169350?fbclid=IwAR0MlLbEAAiGevBzngF8MUlj1giVzYZU6wyx0Ia6a2oiOP9_GM3Q8-SZqwE

5 ways parents can help children adjust to being at school after months in lockdown Many children will thrive on return to school. Others may need a bit more support to adjust to this big change in their lives and manage any anxieties they might have.

I’ve developed a short course for parents to help them support their kids’ mental health during the pandemic.

Here’s the link. Relationships-are-us.teachable.com.

Brand new parenting program just for dads of children aged 2 - 8 years.

Family Man - Movember Master the Art of Parenting with Family Man

e-Mental Health Guide For The Holidays Queensland University of Technology

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/08/harvard-psychologist-rules-for-raising-intelligent-kids-with-resilient-brains.html?utm_content=Main&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR03SVd8d-uYmVy4G6l7L99tvnofwLBgnsX8HXMbomI1-rFzV-Zj6_d6NRE =1607445424

Harvard psychologist to parents: Do these 7 things if you want to raise kids with flexible, resilient brains A child's brain isn't a miniature adult brain. It's a brain born under construction that wires itself to the world—and parents must to create an environment that's rich with wiring instructions.

Even preschool children can be impacted by Covid.

Australian-first survey reveals how coronavirus restrictions affect kid's mental health Nearly one in five children experienced disruptive behaviour, disturbed sleep, and symptoms of anxiety or depression during coronavirus restrictions, however, the majority adapted well to the changes, a national survey finds.

https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/how-to-make-a-worry-box-a-guide-for-parents/

How to make a worry box: a guide for parents If your child often feels worried or anxious, and it’s upsetting them or making it difficult for them to do other things, creating a worry box together might help. Here's how to make one.

https://www.acamh.org/topic/tourette-syndrome/

Tourette Syndrome - ACAMH Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological condition that is estimated to effect over 300,000 children and adults in the UK; and one school child in every hundred.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/2020/10/kids-want-to-be-social-science-says-they-need-to-be-coronavirus/

Your kids want to be social. Science says they need to be. The reason it’s so hard to keep children apart might be in their DNA.

A series of short scenarios for parents of young children.

Sweets and sleeping: Teaching unintended lessons - In-their-shoes When we don’t take a child’s perspective, we may teach the opposite of what we intend. For example, what are children learning when sweets are rewards for eating more nutritious foods or for good behaviour? Similarly, many adults would …