Children will one day take over the world we live in. How we raise our children today determines what the world looks like tomorrow. Just like anyone, children have interests. Whether it be boats, bridges, or even painting your grocery store receipts, they probably have something that they’re deeply interested in. You may not share in these interests, and they may even drive you up a wall sometimes, but it’s a good idea to support them. But why is it important to support children’s interests? There are some good reasons, read ahead.
It Helps Confidence
Do you remember the last time you were validated in something that you were proud of? Your child is looking for that same validation. Children seek validation in different ways than adults (sometimes.) One of the first ways that a child finds confidence is by expressing themselves and having it supported. This gives a child some roots and some ties to the world around them. It helps a child feel more in place with their spot in the world, even when they have so much to learn.
When you support your child’s interests, they’re hearing that their ideas and interests are valid and that you care about them and their ideas. They’re hearing that their interests have their place. Supporting a child’s interests also helps boost their confidence by way of boosting their pride. When your child tells you that the bridge on Main Street is made of metal, you may hear a common fact, but to them, they’ve told you a piece of information that they’re proud of knowing and sharing. Support your child in their ideas and you’ll boost their confidence by boosting their pride and giving them security in who they are.
It’s A Learning Pathway
When you support your child’s interests, you’ll be generating excitement and validation in the child. This will then spur the child to remain interested, as the interest wasn’t discouraged. Over time, this usually leads to your child learning new things. It’s a snowball effect of education. For example, if your child is interested in boats, they may then be exposed to other new interests or things that spark their interest and curiosity. An interest in boats can lead to learning about marine life, or different islands, and then an interest in these islands can lead to learning about plants that are grown on islands.
One interest can open the flood gates for a full stream of education. Supporting your child’s interests will help your child become excited about learning things regarding the world around them. Children are naturally curious creatures, and when they feel safe and supported, they’ll branch out more often, learning new things along the way.
A Form Of Bonding
Sometimes finding ways to bond and communicate with your child can be difficult. This is especially true if you have different interests and opinions than your child. However, when you support your child’s interests, whether you’re actually interested in them or not, you’ll be allowing new opportunities for bonding and communication.
For example, if your child is interested in different plants, this may lead to communication about saving the earth and other aspects of science. You may find yourself supporting this interest by purchasing environmental t shirts to wear on your next outdoor adventure together. With so many shirts and items to choose from, that should be easy.
It’s no secret that children love to talk about things that matter to them. If you’re unsure how to communicate with your child, try talking about something that interests them. By doing so, you’ll inevitably open a fluid stream of conversation. You’ll find that your child suddenly has a lot to talk about, and when you talk to them about those interests, they’ll let you into a new world that you haven’t seen before.
Being a good parent requires more than just putting a roof over your child’s head and providing them with basic means of life. It also means enriching and nurturing your child in other ways. Supporting your child’s interests will help your child grow to be a well-rounded adult who felt secure and cared for as they grew up. You’ll help your child find who they are in the world, and then you’ll help support their place, and it all starts early with a simple few words of interest and encouragement.
