5 Reasons Why Hobbies are Important for Your Children

By Editor1SYS | September 3, 2019 0 Comments

The modern world is full of fascinating technology and more information than we are able to access let alone process. While there are plenty of benefits to living in a digital age, it can also mean that children spend much of their free time glued to screens either playing online games, watching TV or even on social media. The concept of the hobby is becoming old fashioned for some, but in reality, there is more need for them in our society than ever before. Hobbies reinforce key skills and cognitive development, as well as giving children an escape from the pressures and information overload the internet can bring. Here are five reasons why hobbies are so important for both your child’s development and wellbeing. 

• Sparks Their Creativity

A hobby which enables children to create something of their own by using their imagination gives children the opportunity to think outside of the box and discover new ideas. Whether it’s writing stories or poems, drawing or painting pictures or modelling with clay, being imaginative and creative is essential for your children as they learn to overcome problems and see life from different points of view.

• Provides a Feeling of Accomplishment 

When a child is able to use their skills and/or imagination to create or achieve something, they will feel a greater sense of self-worth, pride, and confidence in themselves. Many hobbies require commitment, patience, and practice in order to achieve success, and it is these hobbies which teach children about perseverance and hard work. For example, learning to play a musical instrument such as a clarinet, trumpet or other brass instruments takes continued practice and trial and error. Working on a collection of stamps, coins or similar can also be a good hobby in terms of developing a long-term commitment to a project. 

• Nurtures Intelligence

Some hobbies are great for nurturing and sharpening a child’s intellectual abilities outside of school hours without them even realising that they are doing so. Reading books and writing stories helps them to widen their vocabulary and experience different types of writing. In addition, reading a book requires sustained concentration and analysis in order to keep up with the plot and interpret underlying messages. Other hobbies which can develop a child’s intellectual abilities include completing jigsaw puzzles or playing games such as chess or Scrabble, which require strategic thinking. 

• Encourages Teamwork

Team games and sports give children the opportunity to understand the importance of working with others towards a common goal, including communication, respect, leadership, and also the resilience needed in the face of defeat. They also learn how to be modest when they are victorious, which is another key social skill needed in later life, as well as the importance of practicing in order to improve. 

• Builds Key Life Skills

In some cases, the hobbies we find as children lead us to a lifelong passion or even a career, so if your child shows a genuine and sustained interest in a hobby, support them and nurture their passion. In addition to all the skills and qualities mentioned in this article, children can also learn to set themselves goals, work towards them, and to manage their time efficiently.