Teach your child: Fishing
Children above all else value their fathers love, attention and praise. Teaching your child to fish will give you ample opportunity to provide exactly that. This type of interaction will create a deeply bonding experience that your child will remember for the remainder of his life. Almost without exception our kids spend too much time indoors. With the massive surge in popularity of video and technology related games and computers. Children of recent generations have begun to spend most of their days inside watching TV or playing games. Granted video games can be fairly awesome but children need healthier diversions for both proper mental and physical development. Let’s face it, there is only so much bonding you can do over a co-op game of Lego Star Wars.
The main thing to remember when beginning the learning process is to have patience. This entire event is for the purpose of having fun, don’t let the little things get to you. Before you begin promise yourself that no matter what kind of foolishness presents itself you will remain calm. Kids usually will not get much right the first few times they head out to the lake or river and that’s ok. The point here is to present them with a hobby that you can share with them. A time together outdoors that is special and unique.
- Take your child to a location that is quiet, slow moving and preferably well stocked. If a child is going to be interested in fishing, he needs to experience some success early on.
- Supply them with kid sized fishing gear. Many sporting goods stores or even large chain stores such as Target will have a limited stock of child ready fishing gear. Be sure to keep the equipment simple and easy to operate. You do not want them to get discouraged because they can’t get anything to work properly.
- Share any success you may have with your kids. If you snag a fish ask them for help reeling it in.
- Help your child bait their hook; many kids will not relish the idea of hooking a worm. Live bait however will greatly increase your Childs chance of actually catching something besides sticks. That said do not do everything for them, show them how the first few times and then ask them if they would like to do it themselves. The experience of doing is far more enriching than that of watching.
- Have some diversions and entertainments ready for your child. Don’t get discouraged if they want to wander off and do something else for a few moments. Singing silly songs, skipping rocks and looking for critters are all excellent diversions that children love and will come in very handy. After a few moments mention that it is time to check the water to see if the fish are home yet and it is back to the poles.
- Bring food and drinks with you! Do yourself a favor and bring something you know they are going to love. Even better bring along a treat they are only rarely allowed to have, this will have a huge impact on the wow factor of this trip. Small things often work the best.
- Make your child comfortable dress him in layers, temperatures can drop and rise unexpectedly when outdoors. If you’re fishing on a boat, make sure there are seat pads for him to sit down. For God’s sake bring sunscreen.
- Needless to say fishing in any form of watercraft requires life jackets and fishing itself requires you bring a first aid kit, hooks happen.
- Be patient. Like with any other time you teach a child something, you’re going to have to be patient while the child works through it. Try not to criticize him, but guide him gently instead. Praise him for listening and for following your instructions.
- Have fun. When handled properly, these experiences will provide both you and your child a lifetime of fond memories.
