By Gaya
First, we need to understand that observation skills are not only related to the arts and are a key quality in many fields spread over varied genre. Another important aspect is that learning to observe and see something is a skill that is sometimes inborn or is a skill that can certainly be acquired.
As young adults we are always asked to focus on our project, our goal or our respective jobs. Are we actually taught how to do this? In school, when we are concentrating on something (even if it is not class material that draws our interest) we are immediately asked to pay attention and listen to something that inspires us less. Here we lose our trend of creative thought and in turn lose our focus on what truly interests us.
How do we hone these keen skills as a child and keep them fresh to our adolescent years which then will spill over to flourishing adulthood?
Exposure. On a creative and artistic level. On a scientific level, literature, drama, music, whatever you can think of actually. The biggest challenge I see most parents facing is figuring out what interests them, and more so something both you and your child can do, and both have fun.
Yes, it’s truly that simple. What are we exposing our children to? Does it interest them?
If yes, how are we engaging them post their experience? Do you talk about it? Read more about it..? What do you as a caregiver do to keep their interests in it?
If no, that’s fine. Try and ask more questions on why they are not so keen. This is the best way to strike a colorful discussion and healthy debate, that will encourage them to express their views and finally both of you will have a better understanding of each other and your child will most certainly have a better understanding of themselves.
The suggestions I can give are of course art and creativity based.
Being exposed to visual arts in varied environments some examples of what schools and caregivers can bring to the table:
- Bringing artists to schools
- Visiting art galleries and museums
- Visiting artists and designers studios in your hometown or when you travel
- Going to an art exhibition
- Participating in creating their own decorative props for plays that they put up in school and with the help of their school facilitators or bringing in film set designers.
Why is this so important you ask?
We live in a world that is constantly shrinking, cultures mixing, technology where we are always connected and inherently coming together but at the same time wanting to stand out and be different.
In this chaos, we can only equip our children to know themselves better as an individual, as we all are special and all have something to offer.
Let us find a way to broaden their minds and perspectives by:
- Teaching them about our past and talking about our present together and asking them their views on how they see the future. NOT their future, on a much larger scale, I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised if you just listen to our younger generation.
- When we speak to them or their friends let us parents and caregivers please make an effort to not talk in gender stereotypes.
