Music Instead of Sports for Many Children
Parenting a Musically-Gifted Child with No Interest in Sports
Oct 21, 2009
“I’m a Rocker Mom, Not a Soccer Mom,” is a bumper-sticker that pretty much says it all. When raising a child who lacks interest in any sporting activities whatsoever, a parent must find ways to embrace the unique interests of that child without pushing him or her towards activities that hold no allure for them. This, however, can be particularly difficult for those parents who were sports-minded themselves when they were young.
Dad Played Football, but Johnny Plays a Strat
Remembering that every child is a unique individual is the key to appreciating their talents. The fact that “dad” may have been a football hero, or “mom” an aspiring ballerina at the same age does not necessarily mean that those interests will transfer to their offspring. Some parents are especially short-sighted in this area, believing that there is something wrong with their child who shows a lack of appreciation for the same physical endeavors they, themselves, enjoyed.
When discussing musical talent, the famous blues musician, John Lee Hooker, probably said it best in one of his better-known songs, “Boogie, Chillen” -- in that song he says, “It’s in him, and it’s got to come out.” That translates to allowing a child to excel in the area in which they show the most interest, particularly if they show early on that they have a good ear or a proclivity for making ordinary sounds into music.
Recognize the Talent in a Child
Some children start banging on pots and pans on the kitchen floor as soon as they are able to sit up. If those sounds start taking on a discernable rhythm, their parents should encourage the child by purchasing a hand drum, or even a small toy drum set and letting the child find his or her way with that instrument. Certainly there will be times when all that banging is a bit much for a parent, but that is the price one pays for encouraging artistic expression.
If a child expresses interest in television programming that features music, perhaps a trip to the music store is more in order than attending a baseball game. Giving the child an opportunity to roam the store and touch musical instruments can be very telling to a parent – do their eyes light up when they handle the Fender Stratocaster?
If a child states an interest in joining choir or ensemble instead of the swim team at school, then the parent needs to be supportive and allow that to happen. The parent of a musically-gifted child, or a child who may not be gifted, but who would rather create music than play sports, needs to be mindful of the child’s natural inclinations. The best parents are the ones who allow a child’s natural talents to develop, no matter what their personal feelings may be toward musicians.
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