Every child is unique, and the way they learn and grow is as unique as they are. Take it from a mother of four children. I have seen this firsthand in my family. What has worked for one child hasn’t necessarily worked for the others. And what builds their confidence, encourages their curiosity, and makes learning more enjoyable is a beautiful part of their individuality.
The question is: How do you nurture these things in them? And what classes and activities will best help them to grow their gifts and talents?
What Sparks Joy
To begin, think of what brings your preschooler joy. Every one of us has something that brings a sparkle to our eyes and a smile to our lips. A great place to start when choosing activities for your child is to think about what they are naturally drawn to. Do they enjoy crafts, sports, singing, dancing, theatrics, reading, wrestling or science, to name a few? Are they more drawn toward a creative side, or physical activity? Are they more introverted or extroverted? Would they thrive in a team environment, or one where they can tap more into their individuality? As you explore these questions, you can start to narrow down your options.
Research What’s Available
After you narrow down some options based on what you feel brings your child joy, start doing your research. A great place to start is in your community. Is there a local recreation league that hosts youth sports in your town? Or maybe a parks and rec center that hosts preschool-age classes? Many libraries also offer classes for children of this age. If you aren’t able to find much on your own, consider calling a nearby elementary school, or check with your preschool, to see if they may have some suggestions. Local social media groups are also a great place to get information from parents who have enrolled their children in these programs and already know the ropes.
Start the Conversation
Once you have some options on-hand, talk to your child about the fun classes you have discovered. Maybe start with asking them what they would like to participate in, or learn more about. Talk about the gifts you see in them and ask them what brings them joy and what kinds of things they would like to explore. See what you have found that aligns best with their responses. If they mention something that you haven’t looked into, then let them know you will see what you can find.
A Great Time to Explore
Preschool is a great time to explore lots of different things. When our son was young, we tried a multitude of sports … only to find out that none of them really suited his fancy. Now, he is thriving in band, choir and theatre. Our daughter loved Kindermusik and to this day, she still can be found singing and performing on stage. Preschool isn’t about finding that one thing they will do for the rest of their lives. It’s about finding what brings them joy, helps them to grow, develops a love of learning and exploration and teaches them the confidence to try new things.
Every season, you may find yourself enrolling in something new. This is the time for this. As your child discovers new things, their minds and hearts are being opened to all of the options and opportunities life has to offer.
Don’t Take It Too Seriously
As your child begins activities, remember that he or she is still very young. This is the age for making grass angels in the outfield and playing with ants in the infield. It’s the time of life when painting is messy and butterflies are for chasing. Our culture may try to tell us that we need an all-star by the time they are in elementary school, but that’s just not the case. I have seen many teenagers burn-out because “all work and no play” made their activity more misery than joy. You want your child to learn about commitment and trying their best, but the goal at this age is more learning through play and fun than anything else.
This is such an exciting time in your child’s life. A time of growth, curiosity, play and wonder. As you let your child’s personality guide their class choices, be flexible. Allow them to change their minds and try new things. Just like an ice cream counter has a large assortment of delicious and wonderful flavors to try, so does life! Try as many as necessary. And have fun doing so!
