A Summer Together Teaches Children to Plan Their Own Activities

A Summer Together Teaches Children to Plan Their Own Activities

Shared summer moments without a set schedule teach children to negotiate, divide tasks, and find their own ways to fill their free time.

When siblings or friends spend time together, not everyone may like the idea for a game. These moments give them a chance to suggest solutions, take turns making decisions, and agree on what to do. Adults don’t have to organize every activity; they can help set safe boundaries and give children room to work together. Unstructured time can offer more than play—it can also give children opportunities to learn to be considerate of others.

Interested in this topic? Read more: Let the kids be bored: The key to developing self-control and personality in the summer Want to find out where you stand personally? Take a short test at the end of the page and gain a better understanding.

How does this apply to you? Choose the answers that describe you best:

Imagine that your child lies under a tree all day, staring at the sky. What does this idea evoke in you first?

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When your child says, "I'm bored," how do you usually respond?

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If you had to define boredom, what would come closest to your interpretation?

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The child started building with old boards and mud by themselves. You...

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Imagine a child who has no extracurricular activities or schedule throughout the summer. What do you think will come of that?

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What type of activity enriched you the most in your childhood?

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What does "let a child be bored" mean to you?

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Imagine your child comes up with a completely nonsensical game. Your first reaction?

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When a child is "loafing around" but is content, what does that trigger in you?

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If you could remember one summer moment from your childhood that shaped you...

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Summer as a gift for a child's personality – if we let them get bored.

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