August 21st, 2009 by El Ed Mom

Empowering your child to find and follow their passion will create healthy and happy children:

• Help your child develop a list of things they would like to try in their lifetime! Make a game of crossing off each activity as it gets completed – hike a local trail from start to finish; climb a viewing tower; visit states; tourist attractions; gaze at stars; watch a sun rise and set; etc.
• Add plenty of activities that they can try once without any commitments!
• Read the local paper with them to find fun activities to try:
  • Libraries offer learning chess classes; author visits by topic; art and craft projects, etc.
  • Zoos offer all kinds of special activities such as camping at the zoo, special exhibits and activities
  • Local communities offer special events, such as history re-enactments, cultural events and art exhibits
  • Museums offer special events and exhibits as well
• Go on-line to research fun activities and create more learning by subjects of interest!
• Have a family policy that a child may try anything with parental approval once and if they elect to enroll, must stay in for a certain period of time before quitting.  Set the ground rules – if your child hates 4-H or Girl Scouts and it becomes a chore – there needs to be an exit strategy in place, first before a child enrolls and the child needs to buy into the rules of engagement! 

Hope these help!

Smiles – Stacey

Stacey Kannenberg
“Get Ready To Learn Mom”