How should school-going children spend their free time?

Many parents think that children should never be bored or have their own free time, so these children usually have an overloaded schedule with every minute of the day planned out for them. On the other hand, some children are given too much free time that they would normally spend watching TV, using a computer or tablet, playing video games, and using their phones. Free time allows children to explore their interests, decompress, socialize and lead to innovation. Overall, free time leads to healthy mental development. 

While too much free time may lead to boredom or too much screen time, parents need to make sure that their children have a balance between scheduled activities and time for themselves. Bear in mind that, time for themselves does not mean they can do anything they like without limit, parents can let them choose healthy activities to do during their own free time.

Here are some suggestions:

• Structured extracurricular activities: 

Extracurricular activities can be just about anything your child enjoys outside school. Be it sports (e.g. swimming, skating), arts and crafts, music and dance, photography, language, or STEM classes (e.g. coding, robotics, practical Maths classes). 

These activities give your children a sense of achievement and boost their confidence, allowing them to learn about discipline, responsibility, problem-solving, and leadership skills.  

• Socialise: 

Your children will want to do things with their friends. Having good communication and agreeing to some rules can help keep your children safe when they’re out. You may provide transport for them if possible, this shows your concern to them and at the same time get to know who they’re with. You might talk about what activities you’re willing to pay for, how often, and how much they request for money. 

Socializing is crucial for mental health, it reduces stress, decreases anxiety, increases confidence, and makes people happy. Not only that, children learn how to communicate, make friends, develop healthy relationships, get along with people, regulate their behaviors, and develop emotional skills. A study found that emotional and social skills lead to academic achievement (reference).

• Activities with family: 

Activities that the whole family can do together include watching a movie, playing sports or games, going for a bushwalk or a bike ride, preparing a meal, shopping, and going for a picnic trip or vacation. 

Your children may be eager for more independence, but providing them with quality family time remains priceless. This is a great way to stay connected with them, keep an open mind, and avoid judging so that they are more willing to share their feelings and thoughts with you. 

• Volunteering work or part-time jobs

If age is the limiting factor for paying jobs, try to explore volunteering work. Volunteering teaches children the importance of community and respect for people from different backgrounds. Working not only teaches them responsibility, and a good work ethic, but exposes them to the real working environment, and improves their communication and interpersonal skills. These skills are crucial for their future.    

• Free time on their own: 

Sometimes children need to spend time on their own, not doing very much. Free 

time reduces their stress and recharges after a busy day or week. Do not worry that they will get bored, sometimes this free time helps them to discover their interests and take up a hobby. 

If your children have choices about screen use, do set some screen time rules to avoid screen addiction and unhealthy screen use. Make sure they agree with the rules and limits before they start their use. This way they are more likely to cooperate with the rules. Offer them a range of healthy options, download a tracking app to monitor their use, set a time limit, and make them justify their use.