How to Discover Your Preschooler’s Interests

Your preschooler is entering a new stage of life. They’re learning new things every day, about the world and about themselves. Their interests have moved on from rattles, and putting everything they find in their mouths, to bigger and better things. But how do we discover what our preschooler’s new interests are, when they don’t come right out and tell us?

SHARE YOUR HOBBIES

Start out by sharing what you love to do with your preschooler. Your preschooler will love learning about you, and it will make doing what you love even better because you get to do it together!

There’s going to be things your preschooler doesn’t enjoy and that’s okay! It’s all part of the learning process. The important thing is that you pay attention to what they enjoy, and don’t enjoy, and never push them to do the things they don’t enjoy.

Rather, expand on the things they do enjoy. For instance, if you notice your preschooler has taken a particular interest in your love of playing an instrument, get them their own instrument and let them play along with you. If you don’t have a hobby you feel like your preschooler can join in on, there’s no better time to start than now! Here’s some things preschoolers can have a great time with.

PROVIDE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES

Along with introducing what you love, you should also make sure your preschooler has access to things they can explore on their own. Having the opportunity to choose what to do in their free time will give your preschooler a chance to explore their own interests, and give you the chance to watch and see what they choose to do. The more things your preschooler is able to explore, the more you can both learn.

For a starter list of things that are great to have on hand for your preschooler check out our article “9 Must-Have Preschool Supplies.” These things are great to use at home as well, and give your preschooler a chance to explore through different types of play, all while learning. Here’s some other great things to have for your preschooler.

WATCH CLOSELY

While your preschooler is doing an activity, simply watch how they react throughout it. If you take your preschooler to fly a kite, and they don’t get excited when the kite launches into the air, and their attention is on the children playing soccer in the next field over..you might want to invest in a soccer ball instead.

Now That You Know How to Discover Your Preschooler’s Interests.. Let the Fun Begin!