Educating Children in the Spirit of Simple Living

Reader Contribution by Anna Twitto
Published on November 9, 2017
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One of the most beautiful things about simple living is how child-friendly it is. Closeness to nature, a slow pace of life and an abundance of simple, practical activities are just the thing for children of all ages (and adults, too). Young and old alike enjoy digging in the dirt, playing with baby chicks or shaping dough into loaves of bread.

I don’t think education, however inspiring and individually adapted, should turn into running in circles around the child and making sure there’s no boring moment. I see many parents driven by the famous “Mom, I’m bored!” especially during summer vacations – so much that they feel compelled to entertain their children 24/7. As soon as the child says he or she is bored, they will be immediately taken to the mall, the zoo, the swimming pool, or signed up to any number of extra-curricular activities.

Boredom, while often seen as unproductive, can in fact be of infinite use. A bored mind is a clear, unoccupied mind, which can, when provided with the right tools, produce great things. Inventions, books, scrapbooks, crafts, paintings, new recipes, creative role-playing games, and even various household projects have been known to grow out of a seemingly nonconstructive, “bored” state of mind.

Learn like Pollyanna

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