Want a Child that has Interests Beyond Miley Cyrus and Updating their Facebook Status?
If so, the answer is this: exposure, exposure, exposure. The idea is to make sure your children are exposed to experiences that will expand their horizons and pique their interest in things outside of the mainstream and/or pop culture.
Take them to the theatre (and by theatre I do not mean the next big blockbuster by Pixar). Don’t get me wrong I love movies but live theatre is an amazing experience for children so don’t be shy to take them to live performances geared towards kids or even just a local Nutcracker performance next Christmas. Then, when they're teenagers you might be able to move on to Puccini operas or at the very least Phantom of the Opera ;-)
Surround them with books! Read to them when they're little, give them books as gifts as they get older and go on trips to the library to search the stacks for their next great read. Books will expand their imaginations, develop their language skills and (bonus for you!) keep them occupied without the din of Hannah Montana going on in the background!
Give them access to as many creative tools as you can. I once read that Stephen Spielberg’s parents always had old videocameras lying around for him to use and that was how he first started making movies. Not everyone can afford a video camera but if you can have a cheap camera, painting & craft supplies and musical instruments available to them they might tap into their creative side and become the next Spielberg.
Encourage them to try all different types of sports & outdoor activities. I’m talking ALL types; swimming, soccer, golf, karate, dance, hiking, gymnastics, yoga, rock climbing, etc. And do try not to get all gender-specific on them, maybe your daughter will love wrestling or your son will be an incredible ballet dancer. If they show interest let ‘em go for it!
Give them a taste of “culture”. Most kids these days, and most adults for that matter, could do with a dose of old-school culture. Art museums, opera, natural history museums, classical music. You can introduce these things to them at young age, though you may want to start in small doses to see if they have any interest and to avoid boredom. Pop into an art museum for a quick 1/2hr visit. Try to pick an really engaging exhibit, perhaps art installations or quirky modern art as opposed to Monet. Or perhaps the first time you take them to see a live orchestra pick a time when they are revising modern hits instead of Tchaikovsky.
The idea is that by exposing them to all of these types of things at an early age you are giving them a chance to find out where their passions and interests lie and at the same time giving them an appreciation for different facets of life.
~Laura
Labels: art, books, classical music, creativity, Culture, museums, theatre, well-rounded
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