Turning a Pastime into a Passion: The Benefits of Encouraging Kids to Start a Hobby

Kids have endless energy, which can be a nuisance at times. Yet proud parents of well-adjusted and talented adults learned how to channel their child’s energy at a young age. It can all start with a bit of encouragement to adopt a hobby. It could be playing an instrument or sport or learning another language. It all starts with the inspiration. Here’s why you should inspire your kids to greatness.

Discipline

A hobby introduces the concept of discipline. For example, a young man is likely to be about average at a sport as compared to his peers. As one gets older, they will not keep up with those who practise, exercise, and have discipline. A hobby requires some sort of skill, and discipline is required in order to cultivate one’s skill. However, some warn of the detriments of too many activities.

Socialisation

Many hobbies necessitate the aid and participation of others. Sharing a pastime is a great way for your child to meet others in a natural way. It can be hard for some kids to make friends, and it’s not always natural to befriend those who are sons and daughters of parent’s friends. It’s much less awkward to make connections through a shared passion. Adults make friends in the same manner.

Exercise

If they choose a hobby that requires physical exertion, your child will get plenty of exercise. Exercise is a concern of parents of kids who spend too much time behind a computer or handheld device. While children of the past spent a lot of time outdoors playing, running, and burning calories, today’s kids are at risk of becoming obese by the time they’re teens. Also, if the field or location of their hobby is close, it’s okay for them to walk versus getting a ride in your Dodge Journey.

Goals

It’s important for people to set goals. It keeps us engaged in life and challenged. Otherwise, if one had no sense of purpose, they could make poor decisions regarding drugs, sex, etc. A hobby presents an opportunity to form goals. For example, your daughter may want to learn two languages by the time she gets to middle school. Such commitment is used to produce good grades, get into college, succeed in a career, etc.

Esteem

Self-esteem is so incredibly important, and many arguments related to the self-esteem of kids are misplaced. For example, should all kids get trophies or just the winners? It doesn’t matter; all children can increase esteem through play. Showing up to play and being the best you can produce high self-esteem. Any kind of hobby can make a child feel proud. It’s up to good parents to make them aware of why they should feel that way.

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship is a concept and does not apply to sports alone. For example, a child who wins a science fair over a peer can be gracious in shaking hands afterward rather than gloating. Sportsmanship teaches children to be courteous and to separate outcomes from the fact that it’s more important to show respect.