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Talking FACSAuthor: UK FCS Extension
Welcome to Talking FACS: What you need to know about family, food, finance, and fitness. Hosted by the University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program. Language: en Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Nutrition Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Let Them Be Bored: The Power of Play
Episode 719
Tuesday, 14 July, 2026
Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky Guests: David Weisenhorn, PhD Extension Specialist for Parenting and Child Development and Katherine Jury, MS Extension Specialist for Family Health Season 9 | Episode 2 Host Mindy McCulley is joined by Dr. David Weisenhorn and Katherine Jury to discuss the why it is critical to give your children time to engage in unstructured activities. They cover why boredom can be beneficial, how it fosters imagination, self-direction, problem solving, and emotional regulation, and how technology and over-engaged parenting can limit these opportunities. The episode highlights research on the harms of micromanaging play—reduced autonomy, increased anxiety, and impaired self-regulation—and offers practical tips for parents: provide safe, flexible spaces, offer simple materials or outdoor options, give minimal prompts, and learn each child’s play preferences to support creative exploration. Listeners can expect real-world examples, summer-ready strategies for handling “I’m bored,” and expert guidance on balancing safety with giving children room to experiment and grow. Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS. Kentucky Extension Offices UK FCS Extension Website Facebook Instagram FCS Learning Channel
