Developing a skill takes time. The first time you do anything, dancing, speaking in public, or ice skating, you may not be very good at it. Of course, there are those who are blessed with “natural abilities”, but the naturalness of doing something will only take you to a certain level, and you must engage in instruction and practice to improve.
Find the right fit
As parents, we introduce our children to many activities in the hope of helping them discover their interests. It could be reading, music, dancing, a sport, or fine art. Exposure is key to this process, and trying different activities until you find one or two that “click”. A natural ability is not a prerequisite for involvement in any activity, but a desire to explore and improve through diligent practice certainly helps.
Find the right Coach/ Instructor
One important element in choosing the right activity is good coaching or instruction. Find an instructor who is skilled, gives individual attention, and teaches in a positive, healthy way. When these elements in a coach or instructor are lacking, children feel isolated and negative. They soon partner with the instructor for the activity and, in a short time, voice their dislike, and you move on to another activity, hoping to find a good fit.
“I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. In each, it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement, a sense of one’s being, a satisfaction of spirit. One becomes, in some area, an athlete of God. Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.” — Martha Graham
Practice, practice, practice
Practice is the repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill, in order to acquire or maintain proficiency in it; to perform an activity or exercise a skill repeatedly in order to improve. A consistent schedule of classes, training, or practice is necessary to advance the skills required for improvement in any activity. Practice makes perfect, and practice also makes permanent. You can practice the same thing over and over again, but if you are not practicing correctly, you are reinforcing habits or techniques that may not be optimal. A commitment to practice will develop skills and abilities. You can’t expect to improve if you don’t spend enough time practicing. A child may get frustrated from time to time, and that is a natural part of the process. Frustration should not be a reason to quit practicing. Ask for help and remember that even professional athletes have frustrating days of poor performance or self-confidence. We all need support when these days happen.
It can be challenging to find an activity that is a perfect fit for your child. Make sure your child has every chance to succeed by choosing a positive instructor and ensuring they have opportunities to practice both in and outside of instruction time.