Do you want your child to make the most of his potential and be extraordinarily successful in life? If so, teach him to juggle.And the best way to do that is to learn the skill yourself.What does it take to keep three balls rotating through the air for a couple of minutes? Great eye-hand coordination? Incredible manual dexterity? Superb rhythm and timing?
The answer? None of the above.
All you need is perseverance – the determination to endure the frustration of repeated failed attempts and keep trying. Albert Einstein once said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” And that is one of the most valuable lessons you can pass on to your child. In every area of his existence, your child will encounter daunting obstacles and formidable challenges, and his immediate inclination may be to conclude “I can’t do this.”
What will separate him from his peers and permit him to overcome those obstacles and conquer the challenges is the mindset that “this may appear impossible, and it may take me a long time and a lot of work, but I bet I can figure it out.”
So as silly as it seems, the ability to juggle is extremely valuable. Not so much for its capacity to entertain others, but rather for what it is able to teach you about yourself.
Romp n’ Roll is packed with exciting new ways for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to play and learn. By participating in gymnastics classes, music and movement programs, and art lessons, children get to stretch their minds by exercising their bodies and imaginations! Visit the Romp n’ Roll website to find out how to schedule a free introductory class for your child. And check out their fun birthday packages too!
Michael K. Meyerhoff, Ed.D. (a.k.a. “Dr. Mike”) is a member of the management team at Romp n’ Roll. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Columbia University, he earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in human development from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he also held a position as a researcher with the Harvard Preschool Project. He may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
