Why Hobbies May Help Kids Avoid Dangerous Situations
Hobbies are healthy for both kids and adults. For kids, they prove to be a healthy outlet to not only embrace their interests but also to harness their excess energy. It helps kids create a sense of their own identity in a way that other things cannot. Best of all, these interests tend to be lifelong hobbies that continue to provide them value long into adulthood. Below, you will learn exactly why hobbies are so valuable for growing children.
Why Hobbies May Help Kids Avoid Dangerous Situations
One of the things to love about hobbies is their time-consuming nature. You often hear inner city-raised grown-ups talk about how a sport kept them off the streets as kids [1]. There is tremendous value in this. Unfortunately, boredom can lead to trouble. Kids don't have the best decision-making processes. They oftentimes find themselves getting in trouble merely because they are bored. When a kid develops a hobby, it consumes their time. It also gives them something to re-direct their energy towards. It gives kids a positive outlet to focus their excess energy. You should always be supportive of a child developing an interest in their hobbies because it is a great way to keep them out of trouble and away from potentially dangerous situations.
Hobbies Help Them Form Their Identities
You will find some people calling themselves "musicians" and some may refer to themselves as "gamers." Some may say they are "athletes." All of these things are a reflection of one's hobbies. Children need an identity. Children want to find something that is uniquely theirs and not a mere reflection of their parents or even friends. You want to encourage your children to explore new things to find things that interest them. Allowing them to explore different hobbies is a great way to stimulate their minds and give them something to be genuinely excited about. Children develop passions for certain things and it can flood over into other aspects of their lives. It's a great way to help your child find their identity so they can learn more about what makes them "tick."
Hobbies Can Bring Lifelong Passion and Enjoyment
If you are an adult, did you sustain the passion you had for any hobbies developed as a child? Chances are the answer is, "yes." A lot of people maintain an interest in hobbies they were involved in and nurtured when they were younger. Whether it's playing video games, listening to music, or something else - they can provide lifelong value. Finding hobbies that you enjoy can help you through some of the toughest times in your life. Everyone goes through ups-and-downs and hobbies are a great outlet to escape whether you are young or old. This is especially true for children with anxiety or other problems. Engaging in a hobby can take their mind off whatever is causing them to be anxious for even a brief period. You are gifting them something that they can use for their entire lives.
As you can see, encouraging children to find new hobbies and explore their interests in current ones is a great thing to do for them. The value of finding hobbies cannot be understated. They can help your kids stay out of trouble caused by boredom and they can help them establish their own identities.
References:
[1] https://www.abc6.com/providence-youth-basketball-league-keeps-kids-off-the-streets/