By Kelly McDonald & Paula Kelly “I’m boooored.” It’s a phrase most parents hear often — and it can feel like a problem that needs to be solved quickly. But here’s something we’ve learned from working with children over the years: Boredom isn’t something to fix right away. It’s something to allow. When children aren’t immediately entertained, something important happens. Their brains start to look for ideas. They begin to imagine, create, and explore on their own. Boredom crea

Big Feelings Belong in Play, Too Play doesn’t always go smoothly. Games end unexpectedly. Towers fall. Turns feel unfair. From our work with children, we know that moments of frustration during play are not setbacks — they’re opportunities for growth. Play provides a natural space for children to practice managing emotions, navigating challenges, and recovering when things feel hard. These skills develop through experience, not instruction. When children experience big feelin