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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

how to get 6.5 yr old to occupy himself!

11 replies

wigwam1973 · 20/02/2011 22:24

Can anyone help?

DS1, 6.5 years has never been great at occupying himself. I think this is partly due to the fact that when he was a baby/toddler I spent a lot of time keeping him amused, thinking I was being a good mother.

Anyway, despite now having a younger brother (nearly 3) whom he fights with constantly, my days are filled with 'mum, what shall I do now? This is boring.' etc etc. Until recently, the only really successful activities were lego, reading books/comics and drawing at the kitchen table. Oh, and playing on the computer, which I like to keep to a minimum. He now says he's gone off lego, and that lego is boring. Arrrrrhghh!

Has anyone else been through anything similar and can offer me any advice. The half term holidays loom rather large, especially if the weather is bad and we can't get out much. Is it just a phase? How can I get him to entertain himself for longer than 5 minutes?

Thanks, in advance.

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MollieO · 20/02/2011 22:26

If Ds (6.8) says he is bored or 'it is boring' I just tell him to sit on a chair and do nothing. Or I just ignore him. Either way he usually finds something to occupy himself when he realises I'm not going to entertain him.

Tgger · 20/02/2011 22:31

Yeah, you have to get him to find his own way out of boredom. So, make less suggestions, be busy yourself and hopefully he'll take the hint ;-)

Original poster

wigwam1973 · 20/02/2011 22:43

Thanks MollieO and Tigger. I'll try what you suggest and just leave him to it. I hope it won't always be like this - do you think a child of his age can change in this respect.

Out of interest, what do your DCs do to occupy themselves? Thanks....

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Tgger · 21/02/2011 22:40

Yes, of course they can change. He is still very young.
Well, my son is younger (4 and a bit) but can occupy himself quite well sometimes. He draws, makes things, looks at books, plays imaginative games.

I am all for getting friends round though, DS plays well with others now and they entertain each other .

Another option is getting out, presuming you don't have stuff to do in the house. I guess my DS is still very much in the fantasy world, he will do all sorts of games- I do wonder what he'll be like when his imagination calms down a bit!

DarciesmumandTTC2 · 21/02/2011 22:47

I just tell DD (almost 6) to go and play in her room, she can either have the TV on in the background or have her Ipod on and listen to music whilst playing - Plenty of toys, creative things to keep her occupied, I can't occupy her all the time like i used to and she is just only getting used to that!

Othersideofthechannel · 22/02/2011 10:36

Does he know how to make paper planes?
DS keeps himself amused for hours with them. He was given a book by Alex crafts and knows how to do lots of different types. He then draws patterns on them, flames etc to make them go faster.

Would he be intersested in an activity that he can then practise at home alone? Eg a musical instrument or self-defence.

Seeline · 22/02/2011 10:41

HAve a dig round and find some toys that he hasn't playedwith for a while. Bung them in a box in the room where he plays and just leave it there. Don't mention it or suggest he has a look in it or anything - curiosity will win out in the end and I am sure he will amuse himself for a while with something that he has forgotten he ever had!

Original poster

wigwam1973 · 22/02/2011 16:06

Thanks all. He does already have loads of toys (my mum thinks far too many) and many activity books/CDs etc. He just seems to either lose interest in them after 2 minutes, or say they are 'boring' in the first place. It's very frustrating. Still, just been to library and got him an audio CD to listen to, so he'll be happy for the next hour or so.

I did hope that his brother would prove to be a good companion and diversion, but that hasn't happened as yet....

Any other suggestions?

OP posts:

Roonieroo · 22/02/2011 18:39

I have the same problem. 7 year old and 3 year old boys. They fight constantly and the eldest spends the entire time winding the youngest up and shouting at him!
The eldest is bored with everything, "life is boring", except the xbox that is!
Toys/ books/ games, they are all of no interest to him.
Not to mention he has a habbit of shouting instead of talking and doesnt seem to be aware that he hollers at me all the time, non stop talking 100 miles an hour!
Needless to say I have no sugestions what so ever but simpathise with your situation ALOT!

Othersideofthechannel · 22/02/2011 20:45

Perhaps he has too many toys. It might be stifling his imagination and affecting his ability to concentrate. Could you put some of them in the loft for a while?

Tgger · 22/02/2011 22:15

Yes, less is more often. We have too many toys, guilty as charged. Children play better when I have tidied away and put more in the cupboard. Put most away, leave just a few out and add something new (or not out for a while) to the mix. Provide paper, scissors, crayons etc and see what happens!

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