Now that the gift-giving season is over, we’re sure you took some extra time to observe what exactly makes your child tick. Whether you got them the perfect gift that they have not put down since tearing off the wrapping paper or noticed the same effect from a gift given by another family member or friend, the holidays can give a lot of insight into the interests and passions of our children. What they hope for is what they love now, and may love in the future. And at Maple Leaf Childcare, we believe it’s important to foster those interests from an early age and teach children that exploring and living their passions is important not only for their brains, but also for their hearts.

Allowing kids to play and pursue their own interests on their own terms (within limits and consistent schedules, of course), your child will undoubtedly develop important and invaluable lifelong skills, such as group interaction, problem solving, planning, adjustment after failure, and even studying. For example, a child interested in space will naturally retain more information in their brains about the subject than the next child, regardless of equal access to that information in the first place. So, allowing a child to explore the topics and types of activities they show interest in can be a great way to teach them how to initiate learning and become more self-reflective as they grow.

Whether a child seems to be stuck on one thing or bounces around from one subject to the next, parents should keep lines of communication open for them to express what’s on their mind and why. Simple questions about how your child’s day was, who their friends are, and why they like certain things are great jumping-off points for opening up a conversation about particular passions and interests. If your child does not respond to these conversations at first, continue to test out the waters. Often times, kids take a moment to get their thoughts together on a subject, and should be trained to think up thoughtful responses to questions, from both other kids their age and adults. Otherwise, simply observe them. Watch what they tend to do and pay attention to on a regular basis, and you’ll discover plenty about what makes their interests peak.

At Maple Leaf Childcare, we’re here to help your child grow and learn with quality services at affordable prices for today’s parents.