Children are one day interested in experimenting, whereas, the next day they are ditching it for learning an instrument. Their interests and hobbies are as fleeting as their thoughts. With them being so indecisive, how to find a child’s hobbies? This is always at the forefront of the parent’s mind. You could also wonder why it is so necessary to find their hobbies and interests. Why can’t we let them follow ten different strings and see them having fun with it?
The reason is that hobbies and interests have more benefits than just indulging your child to pass time. Hobbies and interests will build the foundation and base for their life ahead and the choices they will make. If you have discovered that since a young age your child is interested in art, you can arrange for the classes, activities, and materials that will help them explore it.
And what do you know; your child may end up being a successful artist. You of course don’t have to limit your child to one hobby but narrowing it down to some hobbies and interests that have piqued their attention is beneficial for them. If you want to know how to help your child find his or her hobbies and interest, then read on.
Tips to help a child discover his/her hobbies and talents:
1. Make a list
The idea of hobbies for kids is that it’s based on the things they enjoy doing. For this, have a conversation with them, and ask them what do they like and what do they dislike. The conversation doesn’t have to be in the form of open-ended questions, you can introduce certain activities to them, and ask what interests them and why, as well as what do they not like and why.
2. Testing waters
Parents often think they know what are the best hobbies for kids, and sign them up for plenty of classes and sessions by making a huge monetary commitment. And what happens a week later? The child is in tears and absolutely hates the classes. Before you jump the big guns, ensure that your child likes what you are signing them up for. You can invest in some classes and courses that are short term. You can also find classes that offer free or demo sessions before registering.
3. Investment
When you think that you have found your child’s interest, you will ensure to spend a lot of money on their equipment, accessories, and other necessities. Before you invest, make sure that you are confident that your child is 100% committed to it. You can hold yourself from pushing them by getting too excited and investing a lot of money. This will make them feel obligated to go through the course. Let them instead come to you, and ask for what they need. This will show you that they are confident in their partake in a hobby or activity.
4. Activities
If you ask your child, what are the different types of hobbies? They will count the number of hobbies on their fingers. You can give them the exposure they need to explore well before settling on one. They can participate in both the drama club, as well as the sports club. Whereas, you can simultaneously prepare them for the debate and speech writing for their school. They can be exposed to multiple activities in the form of games and playtime. You can take them to aerial or acrobats classes, and see how much they like it. When they have explored different activities, their horizons and thinking capacity, as well as interest will widen.
5. Their needs and priorities
Sometimes parents get carried away in the question “how to find a child’s interest”. They enroll them for the best of the classes and it means expensive classes. But expensive doesn’t equate to being the best. You can provide them what they need in a way that corroborates with your priority. Register them for local classes and school activities, wherein they will have familiar faces and feel at home and confident.
6. Talent and patience
When you will be on the quest of finding a child’s hobbies and interests, you will discover some talents that they will naturally possess. You can explore this talent deeper. For example, if your child is interested in music, then you need to dig deeper to see what kind of music they like. You will then have to understand if they wish to sing or play an instrument. This will further get narrowed down to the choice of instrument and style of singing. And of course, when they are learning to hone in talent, there will be many nights spent in screeching noises that don’t resemble music, you need to be patient.
Related Reading:
Find Your Child’s Interest in 4 Simple Steps
7. Evolve
Children are always involving, and what are hobbies for toddlers today, may not be consistent with their hobbies when they grow up. Keep a note of this. See in which direction they are leaning. Are they trying to master their hobby as a child or are they interested in something else entirely? This will help you to recognize the signs of their emerging hobbies and interests.
8. They are their inspiration
Parents often get excited about the best hobbies for toddlers, and they think they need to follow that. But, take a step back. As parents, you need to help the child discover their hobbies via games, activities, communication, etc. Rather than asking them to walk in your shoes, you can let them stand their ground by themselves.
9. Love to do v/s interest
A child may love to sing or dance, but they may be interested in writing. You can help them differentiate between these two lines. They might be confused with where their interests lie in, and you will be their guiding light. Explaining that what they love can or cannot be what interests them, will aid them to break down their interest for them.
10. Knowing when to let go
Your child will have many activities planned throughout their childhood, and some they will stick to, and they won’t. When they have found their hobbies and interests with your help, they will actively pursue it. But it may not go the way they wanted to. They could have begged you for swimming lessons, but after the first session, they would be abhorrent to get into the pool. Be patient with them, and don’t let them feel guilty for quitting an activity or classes. It’s okay to quit, and they can move on to new things.
11. Two siblings, two interests
Often it is seen that the older sibling influences the younger sibling to an extent. But this is where it might end. They could or could not have similar interests. What works for one sibling may not work for another. You need to carve out two different paths for them than letting them walk on the same path that you chose.
Finding toddler’s hobbies and interests lies in your supporting them in their interests and help them provide for opportunities and materials that will make them actively participate in it. They may find their interests and hobby on the first go, or they may take some time to find it. Be patient and explore their talents with them, and motivate them to pursue it relentlessly. What do you think your child’s talents and interests lie in?