Does the word ‘Hobbies’ sound familiar to you? Did you have a hobby when you were a child? Do you still pursue your hobby? hobbies? In my school days I remember children collected stamps, stones, empty match-box cartons, greeting cards, broken bangles, bus tickets, coins, rocks, shells and conches, photos of cricketers in newspapers and magazines and more. Some children involved in drawing and painting while some did simple cooking with help of their mothers. 85% people will agree that they did have a hobby when they were kids but they have lost it, as they got busy and engaged with adulthood. Why is it so? Is there something that can be done to pass on this gift of developing a hobby to our young children? The answer is YES.The dictionary meaning of hobby is- An activity that you do for pleasure when you are not working. We often talk about how busy our day has become. Usually we look forward to weekends and think about relaxing and following up some hobby. But due to some or the other reasons cannot find time for the hobbies. Children of today are unconsciously passed on the stress and pressures by parents due to the hectic life they lead. They are burdened with academics and competitions at this tender age. At times they aren’t even ready for this. But there is no time to understand them. They are just dragged into this madness. Th technology has added to this in the sense that it has got a negative impact on their lives. They have become passive, inactive, as they just sit and watch shows on the gadgets instead of actively doing things physically by themselves. Introducing them to a hobby will help them in a number of ways. They will get a chance to mingle with unknown peers and make friends, bring them closer to nature, give them a sense of responsibility and ownership, a platform to spark and unfold their creativity and interests, gather long lasting knowledge and information, gain first hand experiences, spike their curiosity thus shaping their personality. These children will certainly develop confidence, become independent and self- reliant. They will develop thinking skills, team spirit, compassion and patience and various other life skills that are the essential virtues of adult life. Not to forget that they will engage themselves positively and develop their own attention span along with good concentration. Parents of course play a very important and an alert role in this. They have to give them this exposure intentionally. They have to take them to explore interesting places like museums, art galleries, exhibitions, plays and concerts, fort climbing, etc. They also have to have a keen eye on the interests the child shows and pick up the clue to further provide them necessary help. Summer holidays are round the corner. Don’t you think it is the best time to get them set for this? Get set and Go!
Happy Hobbying!
