<![CDATA[Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies]]>Some child/children excel in math, some in creative writing, some in drawing, some in sports arena, some in music. While some doesn’t have

amplified talent but has hobbies to fill their unoccupied hour. Be it reading, stamps, coins, insects, leaves collecting or …

I am wondering how do other parents support their child/children’s talent or hobbies. What role do parents play in nurturing the child/children’s talent. How do parents shows encouragement and support. Are there any parents who try to minimize their child/children’s involvement in pursuing their talent or hobbies? What’s your concern in trying to minimize the child/children’s involvement?

How do parents balance the call for talent/hobbies versus school work?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/8317/supporting-child-s-talent-hobbiesRSS for NodeTue, 21 Apr 2026 08:32:05 GMTSun, 17 Jan 2010 13:53:58 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Sun, 31 Aug 2014 23:43:19 GMT]]>

lchunleo:
hi all,


i read this thread and realized the children here are older. But how to spot or know the talent/hobby of a 4.5 yrs old child? or is it too early to do so?
Follow his lead. At this age, most kids won't have developed any particular interests yet (the ones who do are fairly exceptional), so just focus on exposure until he shows a particular interest. It's ok if he doesn't - some kids won't encounter their passion until later. Some interests may only be suitable or be available to older kids or adults anyway.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1374251https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1374251Sun, 31 Aug 2014 23:43:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Sun, 31 Aug 2014 14:46:16 GMT]]>hi all,


i read this thread and realized the children here are older. But how to spot or know the talent/hobby of a 4.5 yrs old child? or is it too early to do so?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1374189https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1374189Sun, 31 Aug 2014 14:46:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:18:01 GMT]]>

2ppaamm:
EN:

[quote]Wah, looks like we all need some army training.


No wan 😢

You know, when I was young my ambition is to be in the army. I was very jealous of boys that will one day grow up to join NS. :siao: My father :nunchuk: when I told him I want to join the army. Tired of nagging, he :faint: . keke

Yep, we all have strange ambitions when we were young. I always wanted to be a wayang actress. Those in thick, thick makeup. Ha ha. Have you looked at what your kids want to be when they grow up? Perhaps we should document that down and see what they all ended with.[/quote]Bingo here. Me too. I also wanted to be a 'getai' singer. :!:

Having spent my childhood watching all these wayang and getai has definitely impacted us in certain ways. :lol:

I used to lock myself in my parents' room - it is the only room with a dressing mirror and then put on 'costumes' (like bedsheets etc) and started to 'wayang' and sing like my idols on stage... sh.... don't tell anybody .... :oops:

Er..as my for kids...my son wanted to be a policeman and then upgraded to an author ....and ....now ...he wants to buy a football club. 😉

My girl's ambition has never changed all these while - it's always something to do with animals. She wanted to be a dolphin trainer when she was very young - she loves dolphins and swimming! :lol:

And then, last year, she told me she wanted to work for Pet Lovers cos she can take care of all the animals there....lately ungraded to want to be a VET.... 😐

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114758https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114758Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:18:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:09:31 GMT]]>

2ppaamm:

Yeah, talk about talent... I could write interesting wayang scripts when I was a kid, had a lot of fun, but no audience, everyone just ran away when I started acting 'wayang' style. I guess that kind of talent cannot make any money...
2ppaamm, now you can go get your old scrips and wait for some festivals where you can trim them to suit the newfound \"return to your roots\" craze...mebbe the museums could take them too! :celebrate:

When I was young, I used to design dresses....not the paperdoll sort, the really draw, put clothe swaps at the side kind (I go to my mum's tailor friend and begged for scraps! 🙏 ). Now, even my mum sez I look like auntie coz I spend my muny on the kids and their interests in ballet/dance/music and art 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114747https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114747Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:09:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:18:08 GMT]]>

EN:
Wayang actress!!! I thought I was nuts. But I think you are nuttier. :lol:


My dd 1st ambition is to be a sales girl at departmental store. I always bring her to go shopping with me. I twist it to be a bit 'atas' & tell her, be a boutique owner instead. Here's the thread :

Kids' ambitions http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=811
O, DD2 said she wants to grow up to be a maid. She enjoys wiping the windows... or a cashier, can collect money. Yours more atas hor. 😉

Yeah, talk about talent... I could write interesting wayang scripts when I was a kid, had a lot of fun, but no audience, everyone just ran away when I started acting 'wayang' style. I guess that kind of talent cannot make any money...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114714https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114714Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:18:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:04:39 GMT]]>Wayang actress!!! I thought I was nuts. But I think you are nuttier. :lol:


My dd 1st ambition is to be a sales girl at departmental store. I always bring her to go shopping with me. I twist it to be a bit 'atas' & tell her, be a boutique owner instead. Here's the thread :

Kids' ambitions http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=811

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114710https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114710Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:04:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:55:18 GMT]]>Oops

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114705https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114705Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:55:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:50:38 GMT]]>

EN:
[quote]Wah, looks like we all need some army training.

No wan 😢

You know, when I was young my ambition is to be in the army. I was very jealous of boys that will one day grow up to join NS. :siao: My father :nunchuk: when I told him I want to join the army. Tired of nagging, he :faint: . keke[/quote]Yep, we all have strange ambitions when we were young. I always wanted to be a wayang actress. Those in thick, thick makeup. Ha ha. Have you looked at what your kids want to be when they grow up? Perhaps we should document that down and see what they all ended with.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114704https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114704Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:50:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:43:33 GMT]]>[quote]Wah, looks like we all need some army training. [/quote]
No wan 😢

You know, when I was young my ambition is to be in the army. I was very jealous of boys that will one day grow up to join NS. :siao: My father :nunchuk: when I told him I want to join the army. Tired of nagging, he :faint: . keke

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114698https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114698Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:43:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:30:11 GMT]]>

EN:
[quote]buds wrote:

CHARGE! Battle mah..

you remind me of some blur army soldiers...
Buds dear. If you are the blur soldier, I'll be the frozen one. When I hear the word \"CHARGE....\", I will start to think. Move forward how many steps, when to stop, how fast should I go, if I see obstacle in front, then how, just bang the wall, can go left or right or just straight, by the time I finish thinking, the rest of the army including blur soldiers all gone liao. :P[/quote]Wah, looks like we all need some army training. I think I'll just melt into a tub of lard on the word \"charge\"!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114693https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114693Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:30:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:28:31 GMT]]>[quote]buds wrote:

CHARGE! Battle mah..

you remind me of some blur army soldiers...[/quote]Buds dear. If you are the blur soldier, I'll be the frozen one. When I hear the word \"CHARGE....\", I will start to think. Move forward how many steps, when to stop, how fast should I go, if I see obstacle in front, then how, just bang the wall, can go left or right or just straight, by the time I finish thinking, the rest of the army including blur soldiers all gone liao. 😛

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114690https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114690Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:28:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:22:39 GMT]]>[quote]Haha! Actually I stopped. I can never be as accurate intonation-wise and technique-wise as my son. For the difficult parts, the young kids, they just practise many times and they can \"get it\". I practise many times, still cannot. Oops..... and my teacher (not same as my son's but related) - my teacher too \"pro\" for my standard. If I were to take up violin again, maybe I'll just go to the CC and join some intemediate class so I can perform on a casual basis, just for fun.


My own background is in piano. Not pro either. I stopped learning piano since I was like 15, after my g8.

How I help my sons? I don't really except that I did engage a v good teacher for him. I leave him mostly on his own. Unlike 2paamm, I don't sit with him to practise. Of course, I also never went to the extent of NAFA, so the stress is not as high. Anyway, my boy started violin at 8yrs old, too old for NAFA already as a beginner. hahah.

I never thot any of my boys would learn music, but they wanted to in the end when they went to pri school. The boys are actually v musical. Ds1 played a few instruments in the school band / string orch. But eventually, he figured he's better at violin, so stuck in orch. So he basically experimented on his own. This boy may not be the brightest spark around but he's rather daring, independent and willing to explore.

Other interests? He's v into creating his own animated clips and games. He studies into that himself, none of my input needed. He also likes to run around and play like every other boy.

Me? I just supported his interests lah. Make sure he has time for everything.[/quote]Since you have musical background too, I believe the way you supported your son is taking the well trodden path that you have taken before.

Yes, time management is very important to ensure that our children has a balance study and play time.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114686https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114686Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:22:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:16:14 GMT]]>

EN:

... have you find out what ganbatte mean? I suspect it is a Japanese word but too lazy to find the meaning.
I kpo a bit. Gambatte Kudasai (頑張ってください) means best of luck, or try your very best. We normally use it as a form of encouragement before you start something challenging, like competitions, a new job, anything lah. Kudasai simply means please.

He he... using my very rusty Japanese one more time...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114684https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114684Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:16:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:01:55 GMT]]>[quote]ganbatte...thought i just learnt it yesterday...is it something like 'i will do my best' ? Must go and refer again to confirm if i'm right.


Aiyoh...paiseh...how to share the journey... i'm only at the beggining..taking baby steps ..

With my memory fading, I won't dare to challenge my girl lah... I only hope to give her some encouragement in her learning process [/quote]So CSC, have you find out what ganbatte mean? I suspect it is a Japanese word but too lazy to find the meaning.

Different child, different way to motivate. You know something, just now, I was learning new notes from ds. I agree, as we grow older, the mind not as absorbant anymore. I kept on making the same mistake, ds told me to wait, he came back with a box of chocolate. Told me if I get it right, I will be awarded 1 chocolate raisin. keke. He's motivated to learn so that we can learn together.

With your child, there is no need to challenge. I think it is enjoyable to learn together and let the child take the lead instead.

:celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114668https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114668Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:01:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:32:08 GMT]]>Yah.. dat's me lar. 😢


Never go NS mah. :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114462https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114462Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:32:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:34:45 GMT]]>

buds:
CHARGE! 😉 Battle mah.. :oops:

:rotflmao: you remind me of some blur army soldiers...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114417https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114417Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:34:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:34:18 GMT]]>

EN:
So many inspiring ladies.

I know your ds is into music but I did not realize, the mummy is in too. Would you be able to share how do you help him in realizing his talent or assist in his hobbies? Besides music, is there any other things that your son is interested in?
Haha! Actually I stopped. I can never be as accurate intonation-wise and technique-wise as my son. For the difficult parts, the young kids, they just practise many times and they can \"get it\". I practise many times, still cannot. Oops..... and my teacher (not same as my son's but related) - my teacher too \"pro\" for my standard. If I were to take up violin again, maybe I'll just go to the CC and join some intemediate class so I can perform on a casual basis, just for fun.

My own background is in piano. Not pro either. I stopped learning piano since I was like 15, after my g8.

How I help my sons? I don't really except that I did engage a v good teacher for him. I leave him mostly on his own. Unlike 2paamm, I don't sit with him to practise. Of course, I also never went to the extent of NAFA, so the stress is not as high. Anyway, my boy started violin at 8yrs old, too old for NAFA already as a beginner. hahah.

I never thot any of my boys would learn music, but they wanted to in the end when they went to pri school. The boys are actually v musical. Ds1 played a few instruments in the school band / string orch. But eventually, he figured he's better at violin, so stuck in orch. So he basically experimented on his own. This boy may not be the brightest spark around but he's rather daring, independent and willing to explore.

Other interests? He's v into creating his own animated clips and games. He studies into that himself, none of my input needed. He also likes to run around and play like every other boy.

Me? I just supported his interests lah. Make sure he has time for everything.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114365https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114365Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:34:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:04:31 GMT]]>

2ppaamm:
Hi!


Buds, you were a competitive swimmer? Then, you'll understand exactly what I am talking about. About not being really there, even if you are at the podium and breaking records at the moment.
I started with small swim meets and then toughened up for constituency
competitions and was eventually talent spotted to join a club. But i failed
my coach what with barely less than 6mths intensive coaching to go for
the try outs which i did fine, but already in the heats i felt the water boiling.
For the competition was super hot! Though my coach and i thought that i
was pretty good, thrown into the sea with other sharks for the real thing..
:!: , i was just the ikan bilis nia. 😛

Tough... Really tough... And not to mention i turned like 7 tones darker
than my usual skin colour from daily training plus 3hours intensive
weekend trainings! I was totally konked out! All that while trying
to manage school and also being in the school's netball & track 'n' field
team. Ultra siong.. 😢 But a helluva lotta fun! No regrets. :celebrate:
2ppaamm:
People will come and overtake, we will grow stronger and overtake. Things are just like that. And to be over-excited about our temporal achievement will be so naive of us, but to think that we are inferior makes it even worse.

So life presents an equal opportunity to all. Nature just plays a part, perhaps an important part. But what's more important is to bring whatever endowed upon us to the greatest potential. That's my own definition of nurture.
Guess so... born mebbe the half-fish that i might be... :lol: ... nature
was just a small part of it. But the constant encouragement from daddie
pushed me to showcase my potential... what i've got in there... and give
it my darn best. Daddie always said, it's ok not winning it each time but
giving it my best is the most important thing. So, in short daddie was
consistently there to nurture my strengths and what he thought i could
excel in (he sent me for all my practice sessions and was there for all
my swim meets) & though i did fall through the cracks & the in-betweens,
he was nevertheless there for me to break the fall halfway, so that i
didn't lose all hope in life as a whole, for he said swimming was only
one of the strengths he saw in me. :hugs:

Tho' this fishie hung her tail liao, swimming for leisure is still pleasurable these days.. :celebrate:
2ppaamm:
To those who have made it good so far, there's no place to be proud, no past success can guarantee our future. To those who have yet started, everyone is still on level playing field. It is not the one who starts well who will win, but the one who perseveres to the end. Over the years, we've seen this. It is not the most gifted sports person who will ultimately finish well, but the one who will not give up.
Yup, the winner is the one who lasts throughout life's marathons...
2ppaamm:
Who wants to win a battle here and there? We want to win the war for our children. That war, is to blaze through the jungle out there to find their calling and help them achieve their purposes in life. The daily battles, O, we win some and we lose some. Doesn't matter once we have the big picture in place.

Agree?
Agree whole-heartedly, 2ppaamm.. and we have you to remind us of
this journey we will undertake with our children. So, to the big picture
now.... CHARGE! 😉 Battle mah.. :oops:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114285https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114285Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:04:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:00:02 GMT]]>

EN:
Chamonix. You use ganbatte on the wrong personlah. I don't know what it means but I really have cold 😓 when you say it.


You should use ganbatte with CSC. She learns Japanese together with her daughter.

CSC, can share the journey of motivating your daughter towards learning a language? Must be fun, mother daughter learning at the same time.
:? ganbatte...thought i just learnt it yesterday...is it something like 'i will do my best' ? Must go and refer again to confirm if i'm right.

Aiyoh...paiseh...how to share the journey... i'm only at the beggining..taking baby steps .. :oops:

With my memory fading, I won't dare to challenge my girl lah... I only hope to give her some encouragement in her learning process :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114284https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114284Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:00:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:44:40 GMT]]>

EN:
[quote]We're managing fine so far with gramps on impromptu sessions and our own weekly family sessions. They don't drown in the pool consider okay oredi lah and knowing water safety is important and handy. If they decide to pursue swimming as competitive sport like me one day, i would be happy and even if they don't, i will still enjoy our family swims

together nevertheless.
Hey buds. Your children are fortunate to have their mother and grandfather as their teachers. Keep up the good work![/quote]:celebrate:

Happy sliding you two! :celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114278https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114278Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:44:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:43:03 GMT]]>

chamonix:
EN:

[quote]She couldn't play it well and I kept telling her how to do it. Then, she looked at me and said, \"you do it lah!\"


:rotflmao: Me too!!! But when I show him how to play, he :roll: . But at least he understood what I meant.

Hugs to you 2ppaamm. 😄

Can't our kids be just a little more docile? :stupid:[/quote]Docile? 😐

Yeah... right. :politebleah:

Thankfully, 2ppaamm managed to show off her rusty fingers' prowess! :celebrate:

So, now YOU do it, girl! :rotflmao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114276https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114276Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:43:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:33:12 GMT]]>

chamonix:
buds:



I cannot stand the neck ache! 😢
Even if i play it even for a while, the whole of the next day i would
be going around with my neck tilted to one side like kena one tight
slap from husband lidat. 😛




:!: :!: :!: you mean budhubs is that violent? You should :heresmyfish: him once in a while to keep him in line 😛

:roll: Yeah, that violent! :siam:

:idea: Good idea, chamonix! :lol:

Now lets see what kinda fish i have in the fridge..
something with lotsa bones.... hmmm... haven't gone
marketing leh. The normal kuning fish should be okay, right?

:rotflmao:

buds:
😢 I couldn't see the strings! Fingers too fat & chubby! 😢
chamonix:
Aiyoh, fat and chubby fingers are best for learning violin leh!
B... bb... bbbuut... my one finger cover 2 strings leh. 😛
Then how? :politebleah:
buds:
Thankfully hubs is the one who looks like he got the tight slap from me! Cause DD1 plays with the violin so beautifully now.. :love:
chamonix:
:ugogirl:
Mwahahaaahaaa! :rotflmao:

:celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114268https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114268Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:33:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:07:47 GMT]]>

2ppaamm:
buds:


I cannot stand the neck ache! 😢
Even if i play it even for a while, the whole of the next day i would
be going around with my neck tilted to one side like kena one tight
slap from husband lidat. 😛

:roll: Wah, I thought I was the retarded one! So maybe it's not that 1/4 sized violin. It was me!!! :shock: Your description is so funny!!! :rotflmao:

Well, guess... :idea:... i was the retarded one as well. :politebleah:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114047https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114047Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:07:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Supporting Child's Talent/Hobbies on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:26:04 GMT]]>Chamonix. You use ganbatte on the wrong personlah. I don't know what it means but I really have cold 😓 when you say it.


You should use ganbatte with CSC. She learns Japanese together with her daughter.

CSC, can share the journey of motivating your daughter towards learning a language? Must be fun, mother daughter learning at the same time.
[quote]I always feel that having a family hobby is important.[/quote]Yes, daisyt. I believe in family hobby too. Used to be home aquarium but now decom. Since both dh & myself are getting older, we try to exercise together. Nothing strenuous. Just long long walks in hope to cultivate my kids love of exercising.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114026https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/114026Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:26:04 GMT