Should We Force Our Kids to Learn Music or Sports?
Some parents wonder, ‘Should we force our kids to pick up music or certain sports?’
For our family, these are some principles we apply:
🚩 Kids should be inspired and exposed first (through watching games/performances live, watching video clips of people playing certain musical instruments or sports, etc)
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🚩 We take into account the child’s interest and observe it over a period of time
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🚩 If the child ‘asks’ for lessons (eg. ‘Can I please learn how to play tennis/the piano?’), we will WAIT and give some time for the child to ‘test’ own interest and pray about it.
Is the interest still there after a few months, or is it gone in just 3 months? Help the child ask himself questions like ‘WHY am I keen to learn it? Will I regularly practice?’
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🚩 Kids need to know that IF they finally get to have lessons (eg. Music lessons or sports, etc), it is a BLESSING, and it must not be taken for granted.
They need to know how some other people need to do THINGS FOR THEM in order for them to have the opportunity (eg. Mommy&Daddy have to work and pay the fees, send them to lessons, wait around during lessons, etc)
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🚩 Kids need to know that despite all the efforts Mommy & Daddy make in order for them to have lessons, we are totally OK with it, because we gladly support and we will do our part to provide and encourage.
The child must do his part and responsibility though, ie. To learn and practice their best (ie. No need to be ‘forced’, no complaining, etc)
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🚩 Carefully choose the right teacher/coach who can inspire (because genuine interests can slowly ‘fade & die’ because of teachers, too.
Carefully choose the right teacher/coach who can inspireI made that mistake when Anya learned ballet at 4yo at a Community Centre back in Singapore. Ballet was something she’s keen to do since she was 2yo.
I thought at the time, ‘any’ ballet lessons will do since she’s only 4yo and at a beginner’s stage anyway. When she’s a little older then she can go to a proper ballet school, I thought.
The teacher was apparently cold to the kids and just did ‘her job’. By the time Anya was 6yo, she really wanted to stop😬 The interest never came back 😬
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While taking into account that every child is indeed unique, we apply the above principles to all our 3 kids till today.
By God’s grace.
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Any thoughts? Feel welcome to share! =)
