Fun Hobbies That Can Boost Your Child’s Development

Being a kid is all about having fun and exploring new things. Oftentimes, parents will hand kids an instrument or take them swimming as a way to have fun. Yet, little did they know, these kinds of activities can have positive implications on their child’s development. Activities like cooking and yoga are undoubtedly fun, however, they also work to instil kids with skills from a young age that will benefit them when school and adulthood calls. 

Learning an instrument 

Learning an instrument is a beneficial activity for kids that can start at quite a young age. Be it through toy xylophones, maracas or bongo drums, kids are exposed to music as infants. While the noise that banging on the drums or shaking the maracas makes can be a bit much at times, playing an instrument is hugely beneficial to children. 

Firstly, there is the fact that playing musical instruments uses both the left and right brain. Secondly, using your own hands to create music can improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Lastly, instruments also encourage the development of memory skills in order to remember tunes and how to play the instrument correctly. These benefits all work together to develop key skills for children at a young age. 

Swimming 

An act as simple as swimming in the pool offers a range of mental benefits to children. As swimming stimulates senses, improves brain and emotional development, this activity is thought to enhance the mental development of young minds. 

The water can also work wonders when it comes to developing confidence. At a young age, most people experience a fear of water. Overcoming this fear can feel quite empowering while also boosting confidence and self-esteem. Because of these good feelings, kids will also develop a positive attitude towards a physical activity which is useful in later life. 

Yoga

Yoga is a hugely beneficial hobby when it comes to boosting a child’s development. The nature of yoga teaches acceptance, focus and calming techniques while the act of yoga supports positive physical and mental health. 

Yoga teaches both adults and children that their bodies are different. Yet, this is ok because different bodies can do different things. This leads to kids accepting their own self and others. All thanks to yoga instilling the notion that all living beings are to be cherished and respected. 

Taking part in an activity like yoga also boosts focus and helps to remain calm. By teaching kids to remain present early, this holds them in good stead for the future if study becomes overwhelming. Learning calming techniques early also means that instead of kids acting out in frustration, they learn how to react appropriately to each situation. 

Reading 

Reading is a hobby that can be started early, yet has positive effects that last a lifetime. At just a few months of age, infants can look at pictures, listen to your voice and point to objects. By pointing to pictures and saying their name out loud, parents can help their kids learn the importance of language.

As kids grow, reading out loud works to stimulate their imagination while also expanding on their knowledge. This simple activity also promotes the development of language and listening skills. When kids repeatedly hear the rhythm and melody of language, their ability to understand the written word skyrockets. It’s also a great idea to have a special space, like their bedroom, where your kids can learn and grow.

Cooking 

Standing in the kitchen baking a snack or cooking a meal is a fun activity for kids and also a valuable lesson all rolled into one. By starting early, kids are learning a new life skill that will never go out of style.

Cooking has other lifelong benefits too. In terms of physical development, cooking develops fine motor and hand-eye coordination skills from a young age. In the kitchen, kids can stir, measure, roll and spread, which will work wonders when it comes to holding a pencil to write for the first time or picking up a tennis racquet. 

The kitchen is actually a perfect environment for learning. Children learn by touching, observing, reading and listening and an afternoon spent in the kitchen incorporates it all. Following a recipe will have a delicious outcome, but also beneficial implications. This is because while cooking, kids are required to read, count and measure to follow the recipe all the while getting in touch with their creative side to present their creation. 

Fun, beneficial hobbies for kids 

When kids are little, parents try desperately to come up with activities to keep them entertained. By taking part in yoga and cooking or swimming and reading, kids can have the best of both worlds. They can have endless amounts of fun while also developing and learning skills that will boost their mental and physical development. Taking the time to introduce kids to new hobbies can go a long way towards positive development.