RAISING ‘STAR’ KIDS: Get More Inspiration on Bringing Out The Very Best in Your Child

Previously, we brought you the inspiring stories of Angela Osaigbovo, Kiki Hector-Fowobaje and Serena Teluwo. If you missed it, not to worry, read here, here and here.

Today, meet siblings, Oluwadare (8) and Oluwadarasimi Alabi (7) who have both bagged awards for their dexterity in swimming.

Their mum, Maame Alabi, tells us, “Dare and Dara started swimming at 3. Dare loved the water, so it was quite easy for me. He started learning how to swim officially in 2005 after I accompanied my friend and her kids for their swimming lesson. We started immediately. My son loves water. With him, the challenge was actually the fact that he wanted to swim every day. Dara shares the same passion, and I’m doing my best to encourage them.”

See excerpts from our chat with Dare, Dara and their mum, Maame Alabi

What’s your regular day like?

Dare: I go to school in the morning. School closes at 3:15. I do my homework after dinner between 4 and 6p.m., I also do some work with my mum. I have a shower and go off to bed latest by 8p.m.

Dara: I wake up at 6a.m. to get ready for school. After school, I have swimming lessons, then, I go home, do my homework, have dinner and get ready for school the next day.

What do you like to do every day?

Dare: I love to swim.

Dara: I like to read new books and practice on the piano.

What’s your favourite subject?

Dare: History.

Dara: Literacy

What inspires you to want to be the best at what you do?

Dare: It’s my mum’s hard-work. We started going for swimming lessons 3 times a week from the age of 3. She always takes us swimming.

Dara: My mummy, she is a superwoman!

Apart from swimming, what other hobbies do you have?

Dare: Football. I love soccer. I also play chess but I really love swimming. It’s part of my life.

Dara: Ballet and singing. I’d like to become a singer. I have singing lessons on Saturdays.

What do you do to consistently get better?

Dare: A lot of practice.

Dara: I practice hard and eat my vegetables to stay healthy.

What competitions do you aspire to participate in the future?

Dare: I am looking forward to COBIS games next year when I’ll be in Year 5.

What would you like to become in the future?

Dare: l’d like to be an astronaut. My mum says I have to be very serious with my school work to achieve that.

Their mum, Maame Alabi:

How do your strike the needed balance between your children’s passion and maintaining dedication to academic excellence?
“Proper time management, I make sure they have time for both work and play. They have to be disciplined. I make sure that they keep their priorities straight, while still maintaining a thriving social live.”

How does participating in extra-curricular rub off on your children’s overall personality and performance at school?

“Swimming has played such a positive role in their lives. They have come to know every other thing can be achieved when hard work and discipline is applied.”

Tips for parents on discovering their child’s potential, both in academics and extra-curricular, and helping them be the best they can

“Parents should go for it immediately when they realize something good can come out of their children’s hobbies or interests. Then, make them realize the value of education. The child must want it as much as you do and vice versa. Two driving forces are better than one.”

More to come…