4 Things to Do with Your Kids to Help Them Find Their “Why”

Looking for ways to help your kid find their passion, but out of ideas? Here are several quick tips to get you started:

Share Passion
As your child grows and starts exploring ideas of what excites them, they’re going to ask a lot of questions about what kinds of things used to interest you. Encourage the conversation by grabbing an old photo album or starting a craft project to create a family tree with your child. As you introduce them to the different family members, talk to your child about what each person wanted to be when they grew up. Share what they wound up doing as adults. Encourage conversation about your child’s thoughts and dreams for the future.

Have a Talent Show
Kids love to show off the things they can do. If you want to get an idea of what they’re interested in, while at the same time allowing them to share their interests with the rest of the family – announce a talent show. Take this as an opportunity to show off something you’re passionate about too. The rules are simple. They have to share a talent somehow. Help them to figure out their ‘act’ in a way that encourages them to be creative, silly, and excited about what they’re doing. Have a family performance and don’t forget to have fun!

Make a List
Ask your child about the kinds of things they wish they could do or which interest them. Include all kinds of things, even things that are imaginary or impossible. Explore with them what they like about these things. For example, if your child says they want to be “King of the World,” ask them what this means to them. You might be surprised at how much this reveals about their growing interests and passions. Provide art materials and invite them to draw pictures of their future self.

Give Them Things to Do
Every child should have responsibilities to help around the house starting as soon as they can understand the concept of putting away their toys. Yes, they’re going to make mistakes, create messes, and you probably can do it faster by yourself. The point here is to teach them how to handle problems and mistakes. As they learn these things, they’ll figure out how to troubleshoot, bounce back, and try things over again when things go wrong, all skills they will need when they follow their “why.”

Kids more than anything need opportunity if they’re going to find their “Why” and have a guiding force in life. The main thing here is to listen to what your child is trying to tell you as they explore all these new experiences. They’ll figure out their first “Why” from there.