Does your child enjoy cooking, playing his saxophone or drawing characters? If so, work to encourage him or her to develop hidden talents!
by Michelle Donaghey
Does your child enjoy cooking, playing his saxophone or drawing characters? If so, work to encourage him or her to develop hidden talents!
Hands-on science experiments spark natural curiosity and keep kids motivated to keep learning.
Chef Monique Jamet Hooker, who travels around the country teaching student French cooking seminars, says that children who learn about cooking at classes and with their parents “learn teamwork, learn skills and learn a culture. What you teach might not impact them now, but it is like any other learning experience. You cannot look at the reward now. It may be years down the road when they decide to try one of the recipes (they have cooked with you) then.”
If you don’t have time to cook during the week with your child, plan for the weekend! During the week, he or she can plan, choosing an appropriate recipe and making a shopping list. While shopping, let your child compare prices and read labels which helps them in their math and reading. The actual cooking process will help your child learn to use measuring cups and spoons correctly and to learn fractions.
Budding musicians should also be nurtured even if what they are playing doesn’t sound much like music to your ears! If they don’t enjoy practicing just the sheet music from school band, get out and purchase some sheet music. Look for contests locally if they would like to compete. Find out if there are any churches or groups that are looking for somewhat experienced players. Have family concerts, listening to the latest songs your child or children have learned, making them special with snacks or desserts they enjoy.
Wanna-be artists love working with different materials and learning about different kinds of art. Visit a craft store and let your child look and point out something he or she would like, not something you would like to try! If cartoon characters are what he wants to draw, get books that will inspire him to try to make his own! Remember that it doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to do it either! Simplicity is the key- purchase a few paints and see whether watercolor painting is really something your daughter wants to do! Instead of purchasing books, check out art books from the library!
Kids are always asking questions, some more than others. They want to know why the sky is blue, how seeds grow and how radios work. Parents often think that they need to have a degree in science to help their children. It can help a lot. But, there are also other ways to teach your kids sciences in everyday activities.
“Everyday is filled with opportunities to learn science- without expensive chemistry sets or books…Together, parents and children can:
– See how long it takes for a dandelion or rose to burst into full bloom; or
– Watch the moon as it appears to change over the course of a month, and record the changes or
– Guess why one of your plants is drooping.
Scientific projects need not be messy or time consuming. Depending on your child’s age and interest, you have to choose by knowing your child. Some children enjoy collecting rocks and identifying them while others could care less. Let your child pick something they want to do, such as star gazing or making crystals.
How do I motivate my child to develop their hobbies?
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Follow their lead rather than your own preferences. If your child wants to draw cartoon characters, get books that teach that style — not the art form you’d choose. Visit a craft store and let them point to what excites them. Start small and simple: a few paints to try watercolors costs very little and tells you quickly whether it’s a genuine interest or a passing phase. The library is full of free art, science, and music books worth borrowing before buying.
How can I encourage my child in cooking without making it feel like work?
Make it weekend time together rather than a chore. During the week let your child pick a recipe and write the shopping list — that alone builds math and reading skills. At the store, have them compare prices and read labels. The actual cooking teaches measuring, fractions, and patience. As Chef Monique Jamet Hooker notes, what you cook together may not land now, but years later your child may pull out one of those recipes and remember exactly where they learned it.
My child is learning an instrument but hates practicing — what can I do?
Sheet music from school band can feel boring and disconnected. Try buying sheet music for songs your child actually loves. Look for local competitions or groups needing young players to give them a real audience to work toward. Hold informal family concerts where they perform what they’ve learned, made special with a favorite snack. Connecting practice to something meaningful — a song they love, a performance to look forward to — changes the whole feel of it.
How can I teach my child science at home without expensive kits?
Everyday life is full of science if you look for it. Watch a dandelion or rose open over several days. Track the moon’s shape each night for a month and record the changes. Wonder together about why a plant is drooping or how bread rises. Some kids love collecting and identifying rocks; others prefer star gazing or growing crystals. Let your child pick the project — curiosity-driven science always teaches more than a kit assigned by someone else.
Biography
Michelle Donaghey is a freelance writer and mother of two boys, Chris and Patrick, who are her inspiration. She lives in Bremen, Indiana just south of South Bend, home of Notre Dame. When she isn’t writing, Michelle can be found in her perennial flower garden or working on small home improvement projects. Michelle has written for parenting publications including Metro Kids, Atlanta Parent,Dallas Child, Great Lakes Family, Family Times and Space Coast Parent and websites including iparenting.com.
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