When children are struggling with learning disabilities, parents have concerns about how to help their child manage difficulties related to academics and they also have concerns about their child’s self-image.
In her book, ‘Overcoming Dyslexia’, Sally Shaywitz devotes a chapter to ‘Protecting and Nourishing Your Child’s Soul’
(inspiration for my blog entry title) and she makes so many great points. She emphasizes that a key principle parents need to bear in mind is the importance of providing unconditional love and support for their child – and the key role that parents need to play as their child’s cheerleader.
There’s another point Sally makes in particular that I want to elaborate on here briefly, that is, how critical it is to help your child early on identify an abiding hobby or interest. If a child can develop a talent or interest that she enjoys, can feel good about, perhaps excel in, and certainly show steady progress in, it can be a kind of ’self-esteem’ anchor.
It seems like a ‘no-brainer’ but hold on a minute. I want to emphasize that parents may find helping their children ‘try out’ new pursuits turns out to be a journey of persistence and perseverance. Some children can be very resistant to trying anything new. As Sally Shaywitz points out “Not every child falls in love with an activity immediately, so it is important to expose him to different possibilities and help get him through the initial rough spots when his first response may be to want to give up.”
Bearing Sally’s quote in mind, be determined and creative in terms of encouraging your child to try out an activity that he or she may initially resist and provide enough exposure to determine for sure whether a particular hobby/activity/sport captures the child’s interest or not. Once your child expresses enjoyment and willingness to stick with a hobby and ‘takes off’ with it, continue to support your child’s pursuit – and give yourself a pat on the back for that and all of the ways you help to nourish your child’s soul.