When kids are bored it triggers a stress response in their brains which activates their amygdala and deactivates the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for thinking and decision making. Which makes it impossible for them to take any of your good suggestions and put them to work.
They need you to hold your suggestions while you hold space for their emotional pain and discomfort so they can feel soothed and reconnect with their executive functioning skills Then they can pick something that will stimulate them in whatever way is right.
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Learn how to effectively manage anxiety by calming your body and watching your thoughts follow suit - discover why it's easier to work from the bottom up rather than the top down with this insightful video.
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Join your child in their delight and communicate to them that their instincts and preferences are valuable and valid - this is key in developing their self-esteem, and play is the perfect context for learning and bonding.
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In this video, you'll learn that a securely attached young child expresses their distress, seeks proximity to their caregiver, and calms quickly, and that this pattern of express-seek-soothe can be seen throughout our lifespan, with teens seeking friends, adults seeking romantic partners or close friends, but always involving the freedom to have an emotional need, be close, and receive comfort at every stage of life.
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