Activities Beyond Classrooms: Kids Turn To Hobbies For Life Skills
Eminent author Jess Lair had rightly said, “Children are not things to be moulded, but are people to be unfolded.” Childhood, according to scholars, is the age of acquiring knowledge beyond schoolbooks. Apart from academics, children should take up extra-curricular activities to satisfy their interests. A hobby can shape a child’s personality positively. It helps make kids confident and self-reliant besides instilling qualities like compassion and passion in them.
In Bhubaneswar, many kids are keeping themselves engaged in various activities to learn different life skills which will not only enhance their personality but also mould them into responsible citizens. Mycitylinks catches up with a few children who are inculcating hobbies beyond their age.
For eight years old Diksh, taking care of her pet dog is not just fun but also a responsibility. Diksh said, “We brought home our pet dog when he was just a month old. From feeding, bathing and taking him for an evening walk, I look after everything.” Diksh’s parents Mr and Mrs Barick said for the last three months, their daughter has been taking care of the puppy as a family member. Apart from playing with him, she understands the needs of the little animal.
Nysa Das, who is just 10 years old, has proven that sisters can be great babysitters. “My brother is only four months old. Apart from playing with him, I take my baby brother to our terrace every day for some fresh air and make him sleep by hold him in my arms whenever he cries.” Nysa’s mother Smitarekha Das informed that after finishing her studies and other activities, she is taking care of the baby. “Since the birth of her younger brother, she has been looking after him in my absence just like a second mother,” she added.
Psychologists opined that activities like looking after pets and babysitting not just keep children busy but also develop their sense of responsibility. Though treated as fun activities, these acts foster compassion in children. Not only they contribute towards utilisation of time in a constructive manner but also nurture kids as better individuals.
Similarly, nine-year-old Sarthak Mishra utilises his time in learning painting and craftwork. He said, “Making good use of this lockdown period, I have learnt painting with poster and water colours, pencil shading and clay modelling by watching YouTube videos.” Sarthak’s father Prasanna Mishra said he is happy to see his son discovering his artistic skills during this period.
Excelling in multiple fields gives an additional advantage to children as they learn the art of balancing education along with their special interests. Acquiring different skills not only prepares them to face the world but also helps the kids to succeed later in life. Child counsellor Dr Sushmita Mishra said in this era of cut-throat competition, developing skills beyond academic excellence helps in laying a solid foundation of a kid’s future. “Children should not only be well versed with the school syllabus but also need to hone their interpersonal skills for all-round development. These skills help the kids deal with the difficulties in adult life and instil a sense of empathy in them,” she said.
Today, many schools are coming up with social, artistic and athletic clubs and societies with an aim to mould students into an all-rounder in future. As part of this exercise, children are being taught to protect nature by taking part in plantation activities. Shrabani Sahoo, a Class III student, said, “I have taken a liking to plants and flowers. Hence, I always help my mother in gardening work on our terrace. I am also a member of my school’s eco-club which carries out plantation drives regularly.”
Psychologist Smaranika Nanda said these initiatives lead to improved thought processes among children which ultimately result in better decision-making ability. “According to studies, children who excel in extra-curricular activities are considered better performers when it comes to higher education or employment opportunities. Kids who are versatile turn out to be better outdoor people. These activities help them gain confidence to express and communicate properly with people,” she added.
Apart from singing, dancing and sports, children have also taken up composing, writing and cooking as hobbies. For 12-year-old Anshuman Swain, cooking during weekends is a great pastime. “I learnt cooking a few years back while helping my mother in the kitchen and now, it has become one my favourite hobbies,” he added.
Due to the coronavirus lockdown, more children are engaging in activities outside the classroom to realise their aspirations and interests. This is a welcome sign as these non-academic pursuits will go a long way in ensuring future success of our kids.