Teach Your Child How to Fish

Taking your child on an outing, such as fishing, not only creates a bond between child and parent, but it also benefits the health and well being of children. In today’s society, with more video and technology related games and computers, children are spending more and more time indoors on the couch in front of the TV or staring at a handheld video game system. This only leads to unhealthy habits, overweight problems, loss of exercise and appreciation for the vast environmental encounters they would experience out of the house.
 
Although most parents believe everything their children do has to be a structured learning experience, this is untrue, children learn through play, experience and a variety of worldly environments. Although fishing is not a physically exhausting occurrence it is a great time to enjoy the company. So sit back throw your lines in the water and have a relaxed time while you wait for the fish to bite.

Preschool
Preschoolers truly enjoy this recreational experience; with the thought of catching a swimming pal, young children will be eager and ready to learn how to fish. It’s important to have the right gear when fishing with your children, make sure to have a pole that fits the size of your child (you can purchase these poles in most fishing isles of your local department store) with a quality ultra-light bait cast or a spin cast, use small hooks (hook sizes run backwards so a size 12 hook will be smaller then a size 10), with bobbers (these are so much fun to watch and will alert you when the fish bite), sinkers and live bait (such as worms or crickets).

Supervise your children when casting and waiting for the fish to bite. Make a few rules for safety around the water, such as no running, keeping their shoes on, be sure to look around when casting and always wait for an adult to pull a fish in. You may also put your child in a life jacket, if the water is deep enough and you are fishing off a peer.

Main points to address:

• Supervise your child and their pole.
• Get a fishing pole that is their size and fits their arm’s length.
• Go over rules for safety with your child.

Grades K-6th
The success of fishing greatly depends on the location, patience and the pole used. But the memories earned from fishing are far greater than ever being successful with it. Fishing is about connecting with the great outdoors and with the person you are fishing with.

To have a better opportunity of making that memory more meaningful make sure that you have the right fishing pole for your child, one that fits their height. Supervising your child will help ensure a safe and successful trip, you should also make sure to have the right equipment (small fishing hooks, bobbers, live bait, sinkers, and the right fishing line, smaller poles usually have the right fishing line for the size of the pole) and protective gear (such as bug spray, a life jacket, sun block and a first aid kit). You can also bring along a small picnic lunch and plenty of drinks if you are making an entire day of fishing. But most importantly, have an enjoyable time talking or just enjoying the company of your child with a day of fishing.

Main points to address:

• Have safety gear.
• Have the right fishing equipment.
• Bring a packed lunch.

Resources
Resources that can help you in your venture include:

• Kids Fishing – http://www.kids-fishing.com/

Posted in Leisure.

Related articles

• Teach Your Child How to Take Good Pictures

• Teach Your Child How to Paint

• Teach Your Child to Play Hide and Seek