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In Ellen Shell's " The Boredom Effect" Shell compares her childhood experience's to those seen today. According to Shell, children who are defined as overstretched or over scheduled can still be taught to use their boredom creatively. Shell's childhood world still exist today but has become more restricted because of violence,crime,computer games,television,and time.

First, children are naturally creative.No matter where children are they will find a way to have fun if they get bored enough. Whether it's jumping off steps while waiting at a bus stop or hopping on the side walk on their way to school, children's minds are made to think, wonder, and discover. Television,computers, and video games has become a major distraction also. Children spend most of there time in the house watching television, and playing these games that they start to forget about there own creativity because someone is being creative for them.

In addition, there is a point when television,video games and computer games become over used,and by the age of twelve children know more about technology then there parents. Parents should be more cautious when it comes to technology. There should be a set amount of hours a child spends doing these actives,and always parental supervision.Shell describes a situation where she puts her theory to the test. Shell tells here daughter to go outside and play, reluctantly she dose. After a while of being bored she starts to create her own game. Shell says "Boredom leads to exploration, which leads to discovery,which leads to creativity". This means after a child reaches his or her boredom point they have to find something to do with there time. By doing so they start to explore which leads them to be creative and use there minds along with there imagination to have fun.

Nevertheless children who are normally in stretched actives can learn to use their boredom creatively.It is the parents or responsible adults job to see that they do so.By balancing out there actives,when its basketball season let your child participate when its off season let your child do other actives at home.Don't over schedule your child,remember your children has the rest of there lives to over schedule themselves they are still kids and its your job to make time for them.Rethink your schedule,make family time important.Play games and be creative with your child.If you take the lead your children will follow.

Shell's childhood world still exist today tho it many be hard to find and more restricted it is still here. If adults took the time and create with there over structured children they'll see that creatively doesn't go away in children.It can always be found and be put to good use.Its up to the parents to make sure there child do so.

Learn more about this author, Denesha Grier.
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