When children aged seven to twelve were asked to name their favourite hobbies, their list was usually topped by reading, video gaming, watching streaming services, playing with toys, and cooking. Of course, your child could have a unique passion, such as a specific historical period, car design, or painting. They could also have many interests that they are equally passionate about. Fostering a child’s interest in the world around them is vital. As found in a study by the Society of Behavioral Medicine, people who take part in activities they enjoy have fewer negative emotions and are less stressed. Moreover, their heart rate is lower when they engage in their beloved pastimes. How can you encourage your child to immerse themselves in the activities and subjects they are naturally drawn to?
Opportunity is Everything
Children still in the process of finding their passion benefit from immersions in a myriad of outdoor experiences. Take a ‘yes’ attitude to available activities, checking out everything offered in your area—cooking classes, outdoor yoga for kids, or a free art workshop at the museum. Lead by example, embracing continuous learning and participating in hobbies inside and outside your home. Kids will be inspired to be as active and open to new experiences as you are. If your child loves celebrities like Billy Eilish or Rosalía, they may be interested in learning to dance or sing. Because these arts have strong technical content, your child will benefit from structured classes and free practice time at home. Ensure to provide opportunities for your child to see their passion in action. For instance, if they love ballet, take them to a performance. If singing ignites their flame, book tickets to a concert by their favourite artist.
Weighing Up Risks
Your child may be interested in activities that some people feel are a little risky—for instance, tree climbing or scuba diving. Research by University of British Columbia researchers indicates that adventurous outdoor play is good for a child’s health and encourages social skills, resilience, and creativity. As a parent, you can’t wrap your child in cotton wool, but it is important to weigh risks carefully and make informed decisions based on research before taking the plunge. For instance, kids can learn to scuba dive from age eight onwards; they learn to do so in a swimming pool before heading to the sea. Scuba diving courses are run by an international organization, PADI, which prioritizes safety and optimal instructor training. If your child is keen to try this or other adventurous activities out, make sure you undertake the activity with an accredited, safe organization that employs responsible, experienced staff.
Nurture a Growth Mindset
Children can lose interest in the things they love if they feel they aren’t good enough or continuously fail to achieve their goals. Encourage your child to develop a growth mindset, which stipulates that nobody is born with a fixed set of abilities and skills; most of these can be learned, and everyone can grow and improve. Encourage your child to see setbacks as temporary and share instances of the many skills it took you time to learn (your list might include driving, writing well, or playing an instrument). Teach your child to break down goals into smaller ones and congratulate themselves for effort and achievement.
Having a passion in life is one way to enjoy a good work-life balance. From the time your kids are tots, you can encourage them to follow their passion by providing them with many opportunities, many of which should be located outdoors. If your child wants to try a risky or adventurous activity, be open but inform yourself well and deal only with certified, trained, experienced instructors. Finally, teach your child to prioritize the journey, not just the results. Encourage them to see failure as a way to improve and achieve their goals.
