Toddlers and Preschoolers Need Hobbies, Too

January is National Hobby Month and a perfect opportunity to encourage toddlers and preschoolers to pursue their interests.

Supporting your child’s interests helps their development in a number of ways: it reinforces that what matters to them is important to you, too; it helps them develop curiosity and persistence; and, it builds their self-confidence as they become better at their hobbies.

There are a number of hobbies appropriate for young kids, including: gardening, sports, and many forms of art – including playing musical instruments, dancing, drawing, and painting.  Here are some helpful tips for families who want to help toddlers and preschoolers pursue their hobbies:

Follow your child’s lead. Your child may share an interest in one of your hobbies, but they may not.

Keep the focus on fun. The end product is not as important as your child being engaged in something they enjoy. Make sure that the activities are appropriate to your child’s age. Be wary of activities that stress competition or achievement above pleasure, since these can result in anxiety or stress for some children. Listen to your child’s cues.

Don’t spend too much money to support a new interest. Young children frequently change their minds and can have short attention spans. Look for ways to support your child’s interests that don’t involve a big up-front investment; for example, free trial dance or art classes, community sports, or activities through your local parks or museums.

What if your child wants to quit an activity? Experimenting is the way young kids learn what they like and don’t like. If your child wants to quit a hobby, first find out why. Then, suggest a small change – like a change in musical instruments or the type of art they do. If they still want to quit, help them identify another interest they want to pursue.

By encouraging young children to develop hobbies, we are helping them to know themselves, to be comfortable exploring new ideas and taking risks; and, to learn from their successes and failures. All of these skills will help them be successful in kindergarten and beyond!

Sam Leyvas is Chief Executive Officer of First Things First. He can be reached at sleyvas@azftf.gov.