Table of Contents
- Parenting Cartoon: “It’s a challenge to do what interests you.”
- What you can do to nurture your child’s interests
Parenting Cartoon: “It’s a challenge to do what interests you.”
Profile
Eiichi
After working for a design company in Tokyo, he became a freelance illustrator. He is a hard-working father who creates animation, manga, and illustrations, including winning the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival’s International Short Film Showcase Division Excellence in Animation Award.
What you can do to nurture your child’s interests
Many fathers must be wondering, “Should I let my child take lessons while he is still young?” or “How can I encourage him to take interest in various things spontaneously? Instead of imposing parents’ wishes, how can fathers encourage their children to develop their own interests in various things, such as language, nature, sports, and art, and nurture their curiosity?
In this issue, we will discuss what dads can do to develop their children’s interests and concerns, while also addressing the lessons that are of interest to them.
We interviewed Dr. Tesei Kobayashi, Senior Special Researcher at NTT Communication Science Laboratories, who researches child development and educational support, about how to nurture children’s curiosity and what they learn.
What you can do to nurture your child’s interests
First, notice your child’s interests.
Especially when children are young, it is difficult for them to express in words what they are interested in, so it is important for parents to watch their children’s facial expressions and behavior to get a sense of what they are interested in. The first step is for fathers to spend a lot of time with their children and observe them.
I recommend reading picture books to the children.
One of the best ways to develop a child’s interest in early childhood is to read picture books to him or her. Picture books cover a wide variety of subjects with pictures and words that attract children’s interest. There is always something in them that the child will respond to with interest. For example, if he is interested in the train in the story, read him other picture books with trains in them. There are sure to be animals, flowers, cars, and many other things in those picture books as well as trains. The child’s interest will grow and expand as he or she enjoys the book.
Reading picture books to children is also very effective for language acquisition and fostering an interest in language. Research has shown that if children are read to frequently at the age of 1 or 2, by the time they are 8 to 9 years old, they will be reading books spontaneously and their reading comprehension skills and performance on math problems will improve. Research has also shown that children who are read to frequently at the age of 1 to 2 years of age
Effective use of TV while communicating!
Leaving children to sit in front of the TV for hours at a time is not developmentally desirable, but it is effective to have an adult communicate with them while they watch.
It is a good opportunity to notice children’s interests and nurture their curiosity by watching TV together while having a conversation about the contents of the show. By watching TV together while having a conversation about the content, it is a good opportunity to notice the child’s interests and nurture his or her curiosity.
In addition, educational programs for young children are recommended over programs for adults because they are specifically designed to educate children and are produced with the child’s level of understanding in mind.
Let’s go out and expand your child’s world!
For example, if they are interested in “dinosaurs” after reading a picture book or watching TV, why not visit a museum? For “animals,” the zoo is a good place to visit, and for “fish,” the aquarium is a good place to visit.
Even if you do not go out far, looking for plants and insects near your home or exercising with your father in the park can be a great stimulus for your child. Just taking a walk with your child and having a casual conversation about the world around you, such as “This store sells 00,” or “That car has a very unusual shape.
Reference: Tokyo Outing Information
Information on sports in Tokyo (outdoor fun, sports experience, information on watching sports, etc.)
https://www.sports-tokyo-info.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/
Metropolitan Zoo and Aquarium
https://www.tokyo-zoo.net/
Metropolitan Culture and Arts
https://www.seikatubunka.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/bunka/
Is the lesson necessary for the child?
Learning is one way to promote growth. Spacious time is also important.
There is no doubt that lessons are one good way to develop a child’s interests. If your child says he or she wants to try it, you should definitely go and observe or try it out. Interacting with other children of the same age may help foster social skills. As a parent, you will also benefit from the opportunity to meet friends of both parents and children.
On the other hand, be careful not to cram too many lessons into your child’s schedule and lose the luxury of time. A generous amount of time for children to freely engage in activities and play outside of set boundaries is essential for children to develop their curiosity.
Be careful not to seek too many results. Utilize public facilities!
The more money parents spend on lessons, the more they tend to demand a return in the form of results. Parents should avoid putting too much pressure on their children or forcing them to attend.
In addition, free or inexpensive events for children are held at various public places, such as local childcare squares and libraries. Why don’t you first try participating in these events casually without spending a lot of money? Your local ward, city, town or village, or the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, etc., will probably have a variety of information available, so please keep your antenna up.
reference
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Twitter “Children and Education @ @tocho_kyoiku” https://twitter.com/tocho_kyoiku
Tokyo Childcare Plaza https://www.fukushihoken.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kodomo/kosodate/hiroba.html
Let’s create lots of fun time for dads and kids!
As mentioned in the introduction, it is important for fathers to spend a lot of time with their children in order to notice and nurture their interests. Just by having dads do or talk about their favorite things in front of their children, children will naturally become more interested in them. When dads are involved, the range of interests and concerns they get from their parents is, simply put, twice as broad as when only one mom is involved with the child.
It can be reading a storybook, drawing, exercises, or anything else. You can find many articles and videos on Papa’s Style that will give you some tips, and we hope you will find them useful and enjoy spending time with your children!
reference
What kind of picture books do you choose? Is there a good way to read? Tips for entertaining children with picture book readings
https://team-kaji-ikuji.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/hp/papas-style/14/
Concert with things from home! Let’s have fun with Dad and sound!
https://team-kaji-ikuji.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/hp/papas-style/19/
Art Fall has arrived! Enjoy painting with Dad!
https://team-kaji-ikuji.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/hp/papas-style/22/
Let’s learn while having fun! Try English with Dad!
https://team-kaji-ikuji.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/hp/papas-style/27/
Fun skinship with parents and children! Let’s do exercises at home with Dad!
https://team-kaji-ikuji.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/hp/papas-style/30/
Dancing with parents and children is fun! Dance with Dad!
https://team-kaji-ikuji.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/hp/papas-style/35/
Teppan☆1 Minute (a collection of one-minute videos for parents and children to enjoy together, such as how to fold a paper airplane that flies really well and how to make a big soap bubble)
https://team-kaji-ikuji.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/hp/movie/
