Hobbies are very beneficial for children. It gives the child ample opportunity for the expression of her creativity and also gives her a platform to discover her own talents and abilities so that she can develop her self-esteem. They also serve as educational tools. A child who is interested in collecting rocks learns more about science and geology, and a child who enjoys writing stories learns more about grammar and sentence structure. Hobbies also help children learn how to set and achieve goals, make decisions, and solve problems. Hobbies can also help influence your child’s future career. Hobbies often become lifelong interests that translate into a person’s career later on.
Children often follow in their parents’ footsteps when pursuing their hobbies, so it’s important that you set a proper example for them by pursuing your hobby. Every child needs their space to pursue a hobby and it is always a good idea to designate a specific area where the child can work on their hobby. Quite often, hobbies can result in disaster, so be prepared for all kinds of crowds.
Always be available to your children in case they need encouragement, guidance, or support. You should take this opportunity to teach your child strong and efficient work habits, such as following directions carefully, proper organization and planning, and setting goals. Let them know that all worthwhile things require a certain amount of effort, and emphasize this point whenever the child begins to feel frustrated or impatient with progress. Also take this opportunity to teach them the requirement of personal responsibility, as well as the need to take care of tools used on the job.
If you limit activities like video games and watching TV, children will automatically be inclined to enjoy their hobbies. Expert studies show that by the age of fifteen, most children have spent more time in front of the television than in a classroom. Here it is also important to set an appropriate example. Instead of watching your favorite soap operas for eight hours every night, turn off the television and engage in your own hobby. This will intrigue the child to join and then work for her.
Hobbies are an enriching and rewarding part of our lives, so it’s important to encourage our children to explore and enjoy their interests.
