Barenda Whitaker is one of those parents who pay attention to their kids.
At age 3, her father Joseph noticed that Barenda was interested in piano and dance lessons. So---he bought both for her. She spent a lot of time in school performing at shows.
"There's a missing element in parenting," Barenda said, "...nationwide I don't think we pay enough attention to our kids. This is costing us money."
They way Barenda explains it, refining 'who children are' reflects on 'what they will be' when they grow-up.
"If we can help young people understand early, we make better decisions as to college, where to
send them, and how much it will cost the family," said Barenda.
The goal for Barenda and other progressive parents? Eliminate the phrase “I don’t know what I want to do," before a college-bound person can say it.
When you consider that the annual family income of more than 47 percent
of undergraduates is less than $40,000, saving money and steering a
child toward their interests should be a goal ten years before college.
They way Barenda explains it, if the child
is working toward a long-term goal, he or she won't do anything to
hinder it. "They have a Guidepost," said Barenda, "...and they will
cross-reference every decision as to whether or not it help further them on their chosen career path."
Years ago, Barenda's commitment to the children of Atlanta evolved from
collecting shoes and coats to art workshops. It was
not until she brought children together for a couple sound recordings
that she connected better with the kids.
Angelica
H. was not expected to live. A Wish Foundation recipient, the child was diagnosed with a major lung problem. Then she found Healthy Notions Kids, Barenda Whitaker's program.
"While
Angelica had wires and tubes attached to her body," Barenda said,
"...the family brought her to the recording studio. She she sang at the
event, fulfilling a simple childhood dream of recording a song."
Some children are more comfortable in the audience, others on the microphone.
"With exposure to music comes a connection," said Barenda. "“...we
found
that some kids have speaking or singing ability, others organize well
or play an instrument. We grow this talent. We use that exposure to
the arts to create leaders."
According to Whitaker and the experts, if children
have a passion, they have less a risk of getting in the wrong crowd because they
are not misguided or lacking focus.
Healthy
Notions Kids is a 501c3 government approved nonprofit organization
addressing children's health issues through arts and entertainment. All
donations are fully tax deductible, and the organization could use the support. See http://healthynotions.
---Ray Macon
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