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Do your students ever say, “I’m bored!”? It doesn’t always mean that you’re boring or school isn’t fun. Although, it can make us feel like we are doing something wrong and not providing them with enough stuff to keep them interested. Here are some helpful tips for what to do when students are bored!
*For more tips on how to create a positive AND playful learning environment in your classroom, be sure to join us in P.L.A.Y. (Playful Learning All Year)!
In Pre-K, TK, and Kindergarten, we often run into situations where students refuse to work or complain that they are bored. We’ve all been there!
Sometimes we can re-engage students by simply presenting a center or classroom supply in a different way. But sometimes we need to do more.
Let’s look at some ways we can re-engage our students when they are bored!
First, offer choice. Ask your student, “Would you like to sit or stand?” or “Would you like to use crayons or colored pencils?”
Offering choice is powerful for our students. Sometimes choice makes things exciting for them and makes them feel like they have a say in what is happening.
Second, don’t over-engage in complaining. Over-engaging can cause the complaining to go on longer by keeping attention on it. It could even make the complaining worse.
Also, don’t take it personally because it’s not! This is one of the hardest things for educators to remember. Put things into perspective and remember that they are children. They aren’t trying to hurt you by complaining. They are just saying what they feel!
Third, after offering a choice, positively engage with the student. For example, “Oh Wow! You’re working hard on that!” “I love seeing what you’re doing here!”
Giving some positive attention may be what they were seeking in the first place.
Just remember, do not say, “It’s not boring.” Instead, Offer choice. Positively engage. And let it go.
Then, privately make some observations. Why is the student saying it is boring? Is the activity too hard? Do they need more time? Are they having trouble getting started?
It’s worth the time to figure out WHY they are feeling bored!
(even if you “aren’t allowed to play”)
If you’re wanting to incorporate playful learning, free-flowing centers, effective routines, and more in your Pre-K or Kindergarten classroom, then you’ll definitely want to join us in P.L.A.Y. (Playful Learning All Year)!
This course is a deep dive into practical ways that you can create a playful learning environment in your classroom. Be sure to request an invitation so you’re the first to hear when the virtual doors open!
