Menlo Park Campus
815 El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Encouraging children to explore their natural interests and find their hidden talents is one of the most empowering things a parent or caregiver can do for their child. Developing hobbies and interests that inspire confidence and fulfillment may even help teenagers to avoid pitfalls like underage drinking or drug use.
Maybe your child’s passion is already apparent, and you are looking for more ways to help them explore and develop their talents. Or you are wondering how to stimulate curiosity and help your child in exploring their natural interests. These tips from Lydian Academy can be the right starting point for parents who want to empower their child’s inherent abilities.
Most children and teenagers have structured and scheduled days, and left to their own devices, they might spend their downtime playing video games or watching movies. One way that parents can help is by encouraging and scheduling time for exploration. You might consider:
Sometimes, as parents, we are excited to see a developing passion in our children, and we can have a tendency to push too hard. A teen who is writing stories or poetry might not want to be signed up for a competition, for example. Exploring an interest in performing or writing music might not mean that they want to perform in public.
Also, your interests might not be their interests, and they need time to pursue their own passion, rather than being roped into recreational activities that their parents or siblings prefer. Keep your own mind open to what makes each child unique, and make sure they have time to explore their own interests, even if they do not align with anyone else’s.
Making friends and meeting people who are interested in the same hobby, sport, or pastime helps all of us to expand our horizons and achieve more together. Helping your child get involved in clubs and groups where they might meet like-minded friends not only helps them explore their interests but connects them with friends who value and support their talents.
Natural talents and passions develop on their own with proper encouragement when the right tools and equipment are available. You can encourage children and teens to explore new activities by simply providing the supplies needed. Invest in the basics for new hobbies, and provide more and better equipment as your child discovers their passion. You might provide:
Your child’s school should also be a place for exploration and discovery. Innovative schools offer more electives and opportunities for young people to customize their curriculum around their interests and natural gifts. By working with your school to encourage your child’s passion, middle school and high school become an exciting prospect for your child.
Languages, cultural studies, performing arts, graphic arts, and the sciences all might spark your teenager’s interest in a fulfilling career path that is uniquely suited to what interests them most. By studying the topics that interest them and even taking advantage of one-on-one programs which fully focus on their individual strengths, students build self-esteem and a lifelong love of learning.
As you help your child discover and develop their natural interests and abilities, you might consider changing their educational environment to one that focuses fully on the individual student. Lydian Academy provides a one-to-one educational experience that fosters creativity and self-expression in all students.
With campuses in Menlo Park and Burlingame, CA, Lydian students can follow an individualized academic plan which is based on their specific needs and goals. Flexible scheduling and rolling admissions means that your child could transition to this innovative middle school or high school at any time. If you would like to explore what Lydian has to offer, contact us today for a campus tour or virtual open house.
