3 keys to Finding the Right Activity for your Child

Developing a skill takes time. The first time you do anything, dancing, speaking in public, 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 practicing to improve.

Find the right fit

As parents, we introduce our children to many activities in the hope of helping them discover their interest in something. 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 pre-requisite 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 themselves, gives individual attention, and instructs in a positive, healthy way. When these elements in a coach or instructor are lacking, children feel isolated and negative. They soon partner the activity with the instructor and in a short time, will 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 as 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 in order to advance the skills necessary 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 optimum. A commitment to practice will develop skills and abilities. You can’t expect to improve if you do not spend an adequate amount of 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 finding an activity that is a perfect fit for you child. Make sure your child has every chance at succeeding by choosing an instructor who is positive and that your child has an opportunity to practice in and outside of instruction time.