8 Ways to Maximize Your Child's Full Potential

Encouraging your kids to try sports is beneficial for them in many ways: it helps develop their gross motor skills, encourages brain development, and teaches them social skills such as teamwork, camaraderie, and cooperation.

It is good to start children aged 6 to 8 on individual sports such as swimming, taekwondo, and gymnastics. Other alternative sports that have become quite accessible in the Philippines are badminton, ice skating, track and field, fencing, table tennis, fitness, yoga, archery, bowling, and tennis.

When your child reaches the age of 9, their social awareness and development would improve greatly and it would be the best time to expose them to team sports such as basketball, football/futsal, and volleyball.

While school helps children build a foundation for learning, it would be best to expose them to special academic classes, especially if they seem to be gifted in a particular area. Advance mathematics, reading, and writing courses are some good ideas to expose your kids too.

Studies have shown that learning a musical instrument is one of the few activities that stimulate both the left and right hemisphere of the brain at the same time. Exposing your children to learn how to play the guitar, piano, ukulele, or violin will greatly improve their brain development.

There are also other related activities that can help boost your child's self-esteem, confidence, and encourage self-expression, such as singing, dancing, ballet, musical theater, and drama/acting workshops.

It is never too early for your child to learn the fundamentals of public speaking, or to learn proper posture and grooming, or even take up lessons in modelling and fashion. Your school-age child is also at the perfect age to learn a second or third language such as Mandarin, Cantonese, French, or Spanish. And if your child has a passion for food, they can learn more about the joy of cooking, baking, and the culinary arts.

For kids who can’t seem to get enough of the outdoors, send them to adventure camps for kids, where they can hike trails, learn survival skills, and know more about preserving nature and the environment.

If your child seems to have artistic inclinations, you can help nurture their talents by having them attend lessons on drawing, sketching, or painting. Other alternative activities include sculpting, pottery, craft-making, and photography.

Most parents think the mobile apps and gaming are negative influences on children. However, we cannot deny that we now live in a digital world with ever-changing technology, and getting your kids up-to-speed on these developments will actually keep them a step ahead. There are now children's courses in robotics, coding and developing apps/games, engineering, electronics, and even those that teach movie making or video editing, and graphic design.

Letting our children participate in these activities is not easy on the pocket. One module for any of the classes mentioned above can cost from P4,000 to P11,000 per child. However, investing now in your child, and harnessing their talents and developing their skills will pay dividends in their future.

In the same manner, investing now in a savings, protection, and health plan can help protect your child's future. Unexpected life events such as getting a critical illness or your sudden demise will not only rob your child of the love and care of a parent, but may also limit the opportunities and possibilities for your child. Good thing there is a plan that helps you prepare for this—Life Ready Plus from BPI AIA.

Life Ready Plus is a unit-linked protection plan that allows you to build your long-term savings to help fulfill the plans and dreams you have for your family. The funds can be professionally managed by BPI-Asset Management and Trust Corporation (BPI-AMTG) and BPI Investment Management Inc. (BIMI). It also provides life insurance coverage so that your family will be provided for in case of your untimely demise.

BPI AIA knows that staying healthy is important in ensuring that you see your child reach their full potential, and this is made possible through the Wellness Series, which includes Life Ready Plus. The Wellness Series is powered by AIA Vitality, a total wellness program that lets you enjoy an upfront 20% additional life coverage and supplementary benefits as you lead a healthier lifestyle. Boost your Vitality Status and get to receive up to 50% additional coverage on the succeeding years. Plus, avail discounts from a range of partners as a reward for living healthy.

To take the first step on living longer, healthier, and better, head to a BPI branch near you or check the BPI-AIA health initiaitives.