When a child has a favorite activity, parents are usually happy that the offspring has something to do, does not get bored, acquires skills that may be useful in the future, one of such activities. Parents also understand that the hobby may even lay the foundation for the child's future profession. But did you know that there is more to hobbies and their development than that? They have much more importance for children!
Why is it so important and beneficial for children to discover and have a favorite activity?
Recently, there has been increasing talk of the fact that one of the elements that ensure emotional resilience, good general well-being and strong psychological health is having an activity that is dear to the heart. This is especially emphasized in adults, but why not start from childhood?
Well, what about the fact that a favorite activity can help reveal talents and strengths.
So let's take a look at what specific benefits hobbies and the groups that nurture them can bring to children:
- Reducing stress and tension. Today, children often experience a lot of tension, stress, pressure to live up to expectations, they can be bothered by the excessive influence of technology and social networks on their daily lives. Therefore, hobbies are a great way to relax from such tension, as well as from the daily routine, lessons or kindergarten. Favorite activities become a kind of escape, after engaging in them, both body and mind relax, so the child feels calmer, sleeps better, and his emotional health improves.
- Development of creativity. A frequent leisure activity or group includes an element of creativity. Well, creativity encourages children's self-expression, unconventional and innovative thinking, and generation of ideas. It can be said that the development of creativity and imagination in children is necessary, because it helps to overcome problems and look at the world from a different angle. It is important for parents to keep in mind that creativity is developed not only by drawing, writing, playing or sculpting – it is usually not absent in technology, exact or natural science circles. Even sports activities are not complete without creativity.
- Time management skills. Having hobbies and attending clubs teaches children to properly allocate their time so that it is enough for learning, recreation, and favorite activities. Therefore, hobbies help children understand the importance of planning and time management, they become more organized, and therefore experience less stress and tension.
- Improving physical health. If a child is involved in sports or any other activities that involve physical activity, it undoubtedly contributes to strengthening his physical health. In addition, it can form strong habits for the future that will help you stay active throughout your life. Don't forget that not only basketball, football or gymnastics promote activity and improve physical health – it can also be dancing, orientation classes, even nature study or STEAM clubs. And it is not at all necessary to achieve high results – the most important thing is to get used to sports or simply movement.
- Teamwork skills. If a child attends a favorite activity group, it probably includes team activities. And this teaches teamwork, achieving a common goal, negotiation, respect for others, develops communication and leadership skills, promotes empathy and compassion. In addition, children can learn to win and lose by working as a team. Needless to say, all these skills will serve you well in life.
- Expanding knowledge and horizons. By engaging in hobbies, children get to know new things and gain new knowledge. All this broadens the child's horizons and perception of the surrounding world.
- Improving cognitive skills. Engaging in fun and enjoyable activities improves focus and concentration. Children, especially younger ones, tend to find it difficult to focus and maintain attention, and engaging and engaging activities help them learn to focus better and develop cognitive skills such as reasoning, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Less boredom. Having time to relax is really healthy and beneficial for children. However, as is often the case, balance is key. Therefore, hobbies and clubs help to avoid too long boredom, which starts to cause anxiety, and provide an opportunity to use energy, which children usually do not have.
- Patience, discipline and easier challenges to overcome. Immersed in the activities they love, children may also face certain challenges. However, since it is a favorite activity, children try their best to overcome these challenges. And during this entire process, they also learn to achieve a goal, develop patience, discipline, and problem-solving skills.
- Self-confidence is strengthened. It goes without saying that a child who is involved in an activity he likes wants to devote enough time to it and wants to perform as well as possible. In general, the choice of hobby itself is an expression of the child's personality, which gives him a kind of purpose and meaning. Therefore, a hobby allows a child to express himself, reveal strengths, demonstrate skills and enjoy achievements, all of which gives a strong sense of pride and self-confidence.
- Friends and better social skills . As already mentioned, a common activity or group involves teamwork. Therefore, such activities promote communication, cooperation, development of social skills and simply teach how to live in society. Well, since in these classes or groups the child meets other children with similar hobbies and interests, it is very likely that new friendships will be made and the child's social circle will expand.
- Better learning. Although it may seem that hobbies and a child's academic achievements are not related, we can actually see that hobbies and clubs expand a child's education, help them acquire extremely valuable skills, all of which undoubtedly help them feel more confident in school and learn better.
We see that hobbies bring all sorts of benefits to children, so it is really worth encouraging children to discover their favorite activities and supporting them throughout this journey. Remote children's groups "CodeAcademyKids" come to the aid of parents in this place, which can help not only to develop an existing hobby, but also to discover a future beloved activity.
