When researchers sought out to understand why some inner city kids thrived academically, they discovered that more often than not, students who performed well had an “identity project.” Identity projects, as described by researchers Stefanie DeLuca, Susan Clampet-Lundquist, and Kathryn Pedin in their book Coming of Age in the Other America, are hobbies students pursued passionately. They ranged from Japanese anime, to dance, to even rearing pigeons.
Even though identity projects weren’t always a foolproof life raft, (some promising students with hobbies did end up dropping out), the statistics are compelling. Out of the 116 youth studied in Baltimore who aren’t still in high school, 90 percent of those with an identity project graduated, while only 58 percent of those without one did so. And 82 percent of those with an identity project were in school or working, compared to 53 percent of those without an identity project.
So what is it about identity projects or hobbies that help kids do well in school? The most obvious benefit of a hobby is that it provides a professional goal. A student with a passion for baseball may be inspired to do well in school, obtain a scholarship and play at the college level.
But even hobbies with no professional promise, can funnel energy into productive outlets and help kids stay out of trouble. They also connect classroom learnings to the outside world. Rearing pigeons may not necessarily lead to a job, but a student with a passion for pigeons may become more interested in biology and science because of her love for pigeons.
In response to their decade-long research, the authors proposed more opportunities to pursue identity projects by investing more in libraries, clubs, and by expanding funding for the arts. Unfortunately, many cities and schools are cutting funding for extracurricular activities.
So here are some ways you can help your child discover his passion and nurture his hobby.
1. Watch how your child plays. One of the telltale signs of a child’s natural inclination for something is how she plays. Many kids play with Barbie, but what is Barbie doing? Is Barbie looking for clues, cooking, teaching? My kids are 4 and 6 years old. They haven’t formed distinctive hobbies yet. But I know my oldest child loves to build Legos. She also loves chess. And my youngest, when she’s not helping me prep for dinner, is pretending to cook. My next moves are to explore engineering opportunities for my oldest, and enroll my youngest in a cooking class. It’s not a formed hobby yet, but it’s a window into their interests.
2. Expose them. All we can do as parents is provide opportunities. We can’t make a child have a passion for football, any more than we can force a child to have fun on vacation. All we can do is expose them to opportunities. Exposing kids to different interests can take on many forms, whether it’s enrolling them in classes or taking them to museums and performances or even reading different books to them. If you’re planning to enroll your child in a class, sign them up for one that is temporary and short. This way, you can see if they like it without heavy financial investments.
3. Let your child quit…after the term. Most people would agree that it’s cruel to force a child to keep playing soccer when he clearly hates it. So let him quit, but not before finishing the session or term. By encouraging him to finish the session, you are teaching him the meaning of commitment. Learning how to persist and commit is just as important as helping your child discover his passion.
4. Introduce your child to role models. If your child loves baseball, take him to a game so he can see how professionals play and see baseball in a larger context. Or if your child loves violin, take him to a concert or let him hear the instrument outside of the traditional classical setting. The idea is to expand their scope and horizon.
5. Sit back and relax. More doesn’t always mean better. Sometimes the best we can do as parents is to do less, much less. Sure, you’re excited that your son has found a hobby in baseball. But don’t pressure your child inadvertently by asking a million questions or hovering over him at games. Don’t forget that your own nervousness or anxiety can rub off on them either. Once you’ve provided your child the opportunity to play and enhance his skill, it’s time to sit back and watch. And laugh off mistakes.
6. Ask what your child has learned through their hobby. Hobbies are a great way to learn. Just because your child loves hockey, doesn’t mean he will become a hockey player. But the sport of hockey may teach your child invaluable skills about persistence and grit that your child may use later.
7. Allow your child the room to pivot. A child who once loved hockey will not necessarily love hockey in college. Allow your child the room to explore, learn, make mistakes and explore other interests.