Why a hobby?
The idea is to fire the child’s imagination, and channelise her creative energies — all the while ensuring she has fun. “What is fun is also easier to learn,” says P.D. Adalakha, director of The Indian School in Delhi. Only, say experts, parents should help their children develop a hobby they are interested in rather than force them into something. We must respect the fact that one child could be interested in collecting sea shells, another prefer sketching. Also, desist from pushing your child into something because it’s the “in-thing” or because your friend’s son is doing it. Let your child do what she wants. Think of the other side of the story. What happens if your child doesn’t have a hobby to pursue? Why, she could end up before a television set all day long. Complains Jyotsna Pai, mother of eight-year-old Aditi, and six-year-old Anish: “Children tune in to TV because they have nothing better to do in the vacations.” That could be one reason why Anish already sports a thick pair
