It’s summer and kids have more time on their hands. This is amazing if you have a plan to help them learn something. If not, your backup plan may be trying to keep them engaged in something more than a perpetual screen in front of their face. (Not fun for parent or child!) Let’s be more proactive!
If you are at this crossroads of trying to steer your child in a great direction and stave off excessive screen use, then these tips will help you to create a plan:
Decide the Something New! Interview the child OR even better, mention you have noticed their aptitude in a certain sport or an interest in a certain subject. Mention you would like to help them develop that cool aspect of their interest. If you have nothing to start with, then talk to your child and see what talent they might like to learn. For example: playing the viola, learning hip-hop, taking photography, or learning Spanish!
Look for a corresponding class: Look into the local city parks and recreation website to see if there is a summer class or camp that goes along with the topic they want to learn. This is a inexpensive and easy way to start. If there is not a class or camp, then look into local businesses such as a dance studio or a martial arts studio. There are lots of options. Ask your neighbors or coworkers, they might have a connection! One of my neighbors teaches a summer visual arts class!
Create a Plan: Please know that a plan looks a LOT like daily practice. Whether it be soccer, learning German, conquering math facts, or learning ballet…helping your child learn something new comes back to daily spending a small chunk of time on the topic! So set up some expectations to help your child succeed. A daily practice chart…and an incentive for 2 weeks of consistent practice. Then another incentive after a couple more weeks. Perhaps permission for screen time comes into play after practice!
A Word about Incentives: Let the incentive match the interest. If you child is learning a string instrument, look into a local orchestra concert. Promise to attend that concert with your child after they have practiced for the time to which you agree. If your child wants to learn calligraphy, promise the nicer set of pens after enough practice with just one pen. Applaud the great, and forgive a day missed of practice. Remember we are always looking for progress, not perfection! We are not here to overwhelm and quash the new growth, we are here to encourage it!
You are the Mentor! As the parent you can help assist hugely with progress. Be the cheerleader, the listening ear to how hard it is and the person who can help adjust the goal! Don’t be suckered into giving up! Encourage the baby steps. With two minds set on success, you have a better chance of achieving.
These articles are also great, if you are gearing up to accomplish something for yourself or with you kiddo!
Learning a Musical Instrument (Lots more details here with Practice Charts!)
Setting Goals for your & your Children
Determination over Talent: Cows don’t Give Milk!
Helping your Children Discover their Talents (& be Confident!)
Maintaining a Messy House: A New Goal (Relatable!)
In the meantime, remember, Olympic athletes started small, brilliant musicians started with a few shaky notes, talented photographers started with a lot of terrible pictures, but someone encouraged and nurtured them along the way! You’ve got this!
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