Why sports, music and languages are especially good hobbies to hone soft skills
- Jan 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 22
The great thing about hobbies is there’s something for everyone, no matter how unique. The range is endless. We understand it can be tricky to feel comfortable that your teen is making valuable use of their time, especially if their chosen hobbies aren’t what you would have chosen for them. However, almost without exception, there’ll be something in a hobby that’s developing soft skills, and having downtime is essential to mental and physical wellbeing. That said, sport, music and languages are particularly strong in developing soft skills. Read on to find out how.
Sport
Schools will offer a variety of sports activities, so it'll be easy for your teen to get involved. If they're interested in a sport not covered by the school, there are bound to be lots of clubs in your local area offering other options, so take a look at the Active Partnership network to see what's available. There are huge benefits to your teen getting involved in sport, including:
being active and staying physically fit
building physical strength and endurance
co-operating with others and thinking of the whole rather than the individual in team sports
endurance and self-reliance for solo sports
setting and achieving goals
meeting, connecting and relating to other people
dedication and reliability, in practising and continued participation
Interviewers almost always ask about interest in sport
Interviewers, whether for jobs or further education, tend to be interested in an applicant’s sporting interests. Reasons include the skills the candidate is likely to have developed through sport, an interest in players for school or university teams, and common ground for conversation.
Alternatives
If your child isn't keen on sport, try to find out why and suggest alternatives that avoid the parts they don’t like. If they’re not competitive, avoid team sports and go for solo activities such as hiking, mountaineering, bike riding or swimming. If they don’t like danger, try safer sports such as tennis, badminton, golf, table tennis or yoga. If they don’t like getting changed in public, find somewhere they can practise already kitted out, or choose a sport that doesn’t require specialist sportswear.
If they don’t like sport at all, is there something they enjoy that keeps them regularly active? Trampolining in the garden. Dancing in the bedroom. Walking locally. Anything that gets them moving.
Supporting mental wellbeing
Taking part in physical activity is a key component of strong mental health as well as strong physical health. Not liking or taking part in sport doesn’t mean they won’t be successful, but doing no physical activity could lead to health issues in both the short and long term.
Skills they'll be able to demonstrate
Commitment - showing up to games and training
Determination - striving to continually improve
Leadership - inspiring and leading others
Resilience - handling pressure and learning how to win and lose
Stamina - improving physical fitness
Team work - co-operating and communicating with others in team sports
Getting musical
Aside from being the most popular person at parties and get-togethers, playing an instrument has numerous benefits. It stimulates the brain and helps physical co-ordination. It can be relaxing or stimulating, helping to adjust mood. Progress and improvement provide a sense of achievement while fostering patience.
If your teen wants to expand their musical journey online, try companies such as Music Teachers UK, which offers online and in-person support with vetted music specialists.
Sharing
Almost everyone loves music, so it’s a great way to share good times and great experiences together, especially with others who aren’t musically gifted.
Time management
It takes time to master an instrument, so factoring lessons and practice into an already busy schedule teaches your teen how to make the most effective use of their time.
Music exam qualifications
Admissions staff, colleges and interviewers often look favourably on students with practical music exam qualifications, as they indicate self-discipline, motivation and organisational skills. UCAS tariff points are awarded to students attaining LCM Advanced Level music qualifications (grades 6, 7 and 8), in both practical and theory subjects.
Skills they'll be able to demonstrate
Commitment - it takes time to master a musical instrument
Creativity - interpreting how the music can be played
Determination - striving to continually improve
Multi-tasking - reading and interpreting the music, with physical dexterity to play the right notes
Resilience - it takes time and multiple attempts to get it right
Team work - co-operating and communicating with others in a band or orchestra
Languages
If your child has an aptitude for languages, learning a second (or third) language has many cognitive benefits, such as better memory, problem solving and critical thinking, improved concentration, enhanced listening skills and the ability to multitask. It demonstrates commitment and an ability to balance personal academic study with school lessons.
Learning a new language can be challenging and isn't suitable for everyone. It can require a significant time investment over a long period, so your teen shouldn’t do this if it will impact their primary qualifications. However, if it’s something they find easy and enjoy, it could prove extremely beneficial, even if it’s only learning a few conversational phrases for holidays.
If you already speak a language other than English at home, finessing it, both verbally and in writing, could be relatively easy and give them a significant edge in the future.
Skills they'll be able to demonstrate
Analytical - identifying patterns, observing people and behaviour
Communication - listening, speaking, reading and writing
Critical thinking - unafraid to ask questions and delve deeper into meaning
Problem solving - linguists usually demonstrate creativity, logic, imagination and lateral thinking
Other ways your teen can learn soft skills
If you’d like to know how your teen can build their character, develop skills, stand out from others and improve their chances at interviews, all while doing things they enjoy, read our suggestions in The Parents’ Guide to Developing Skills and Character. It includes sections on:
self-development and increasing confidence
getting work experience (including virtual placements)
the benefits of research and how to take a different approach
how different hobbies impact mental and physical health
which hobbies hone different transferrable skills
recommendations for non-curricular online courses
Want to help your teen build skills for the future?
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