An early English class? Or creative seminars and computer workshops for children? Already at kindergarten age, parents want to promote their offspring optimally, after all, he should become something. But how useful is private early education really? Heiderose Kesselring, a qualified pedagogue and head of a daycare center, believes that such offers are not absolutely necessary: “Such additional tasks are often based on parents’ performance expectations. They fear that they will miss out on important things. Children are put under stress at an early age; relaxation and free play are neglected. But the little ones need both.”
Time to do nothing
The educator explains how important it is to engage with your offspring and provide stimulation. But that doesn’t mean a busy schedule, she says: “Children are curious, they want to explore the world. They need fun and enjoyment, praise and recognition. This also includes giving them the opportunity to organize free time themselves, because that stimulates the imagination and promotes creativity.” A child is also allowed to be bored sometimes. When it learns to relieve this boredom on its own, its personality strengthens.
Dealing with boredom is considered an important life skill. “Those who learned to fill their own time as a child will later be better able to get through frustrating situations on their own instead of resorting to drugs.” According to the expert, it is essential for child development that parents devote themselves to their offspring, give them time and that they are additionally well cared for and encouraged in kindergarten.
The variety brings it
Of course, every child, has different talents, none is equally good in all areas. Which talents a child possesses can best be recognized through observation. This includes tolerance and understanding when the offspring paints beautiful snakes on the tiles with the colored toothpaste or full of curiosity plucks the houseplants.
If you offer your offspring many different play activities, you will quickly discover whether they prefer singing, stringing beads or playing with balls.
Children should have experiences with nature from an early age and be able to try their hand at both technical and craft activities by the time they reach elementary school age at the latest. Books and child-friendly PC programs impart knowledge in a playful way. The little ones then already spontaneously choose what suits their talents.
Hobbies strengthen self-confidence
Supporting the child’s curiosity holds another plus in store: interest in certain leisure activities and the associated self-actualization strengthen his self-confidence.
Conversely, the best way to promote a talent is to encourage the child’s personality. The child must have confidence in himself and be allowed to determine when and how intensively he devotes himself to something. Kesselring advises parents to encourage their offspring, but also to remain calm when things don’t work out.
Every child goes his or her own way and needs individual support. There is no one method that can be applied to all children, nor is it possible to determine how talented a child is in a certain area on the basis of any checklist.
Particularly at elementary school age, additional interests can develop and talents can become apparent. Therefore, parents should not promote their child one-sidedly at this time, but should be careful to balance them out so that a harmonious personality can develop.
