When I became a teacher, I could never have imagined how much my years in the classroom would prepare me for one of my biggest roles in life: being a parent. Teaching gave me valuable insight into learning how to roll with kids' quirky passions and special interests - they pop up all the time and are a valuable way to help kids grow into their own unique selves. Now, having been both a mom to two amazing boys and an educator, if there’s one thing both my professional and personal lives have taught me, it’s this: special interests are not just a “cute phase.” They are powerful tools for learning, connection, and growth.
This belief stems not just from what I’ve observed in the classroom, but from living it daily as a mom. My oldest son, who is neurodivergent, has always had intense special interests. From Thomas the Train and Legos that consumed his days, an unforgettable PreK obsession with Batman, and now bouldering and computers, his deep passions inspire, tire, and amaze me all at once. My younger son, although neurotypical, also exhibits bursts of obsession around specific topics, such as Greek Mythology, inventions, space, Minecraft, and cross-country running. It’s been incredible to see how special interests have shaped and inspired both of them. It’s why I believe nurturing a child’s special interests is one of the best things you can do as a parent or educator. I have tried to weave that belief into both roles in children's lives.
Special Interests Are a Window Into a Child’s Mind
When my son was in preschool, his world revolved around two things: Thomas the Train and, later, Batman. At first, I'll admit, I didn't always fully get it. I mean, we watched the same Thomas episodes on repeat until I could quote them in my sleep. But over time, I started to realize something: those stories were helping him make sense of the world. Thomas and his friends gave him clear, consistent examples of right and wrong, how to say sorry, how to work with others, and even how to name emotions. The engines didn't just entertain him, they mirrored real social situations in a way he could safely observe and process.
Then came Batman. Sure, A bit edgier, but we were talking about justice, bravery, integrity, using your strengths for good, and self-control. For a neurodivergent child who struggled with emotional regulation and social nuance, these characters were favorites that provided a framework for him to process the world. Through their stories, he could explore big feelings, understand motivation and consequences, and try different roles - all from the safety of his imagination. Looking back, I realize those "obsessions" were actually his way of building emotional tools, one storyline at a time.
For neurodivergent children like him, special interests often aren’t just a hobby; they’re a lifeline. Research backs this up. Studies show that intense interests can support emotional regulation, offering children a way to manage anxiety and find joy. For me, this meant that when my son’s excited monologue about Thomas overlapped with dinner prep, I paused and engaged. Sharing special interests, also known as info dumping, was his way of connecting and finding comfort and emotional regulation. It also brought him extreme joy! As a parent, there’s hardly anything better than seeing your child find a passion that lights them up.
The Classroom Connection
As a teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how tapping into a child's special interests can transform their learning. One of my students, who had a deep passion for sharks, struggled in traditional reading lessons. But the minute we switched to books and articles about ocean predators, his focus sharpened, and his confidence blossomed.
Kids learn best when they’re invested, and special interests are a perfect catalyst for that engagement. Passionate about space? Suddenly, math becomes fun when it involves calculating the distance to Mars. Obsessed with unicorns? Watch creativity soar during a writing session where they have the choice of topics and draft a story about unicorns and fairies.
I discovered that pretty much every subject could be connected to a child’s passion. Special interests aren’t distractions; they’re opportunities. And they don’t just help neurodivergent kids like my son. They work wonders for neurotypical children, too.
Lessons Learned at Home
Parenting my boys has deepened my understanding of special interests in ways I couldn’t have imagined as a teacher. Here are some key lessons I’ve learned along the way:
1. Special Interests Build Skills (Both Big and Small)
When my oldest son built elaborate train routes across our living room, he was not just playing. He’s learning spatial awareness, fine motor coordination, and problem-solving. These are skills that will serve him in school and beyond.
Even seemingly simple activities, like memorizing all of the names of every vehicle in the Cars Movies (this same child also now loves and knows everything about Formula 1 racing), strengthen attention, memory, and pattern recognition.
2. They Provide Comfort in a Chaotic World
For kids, the world can feel like an unpredictable place. Special interests act as a grounding force. My son’s trains gave him structure and security when daily routines changed, like moving to a new house or going to a new restaurant (I always carried several of his trains in my purse).
This taught me to pause and allow him to lean into those passions, even when they felt all-consuming. So, from space exploration to dolls, a special interest or toy obsession can be a powerful tool for calm and security.
3. Special Interests Create Connection
I’ll admit, it’s not always easy to follow when my son launches into a 30-minute deep dive on how he’s building his computer, but those moments matter. Even when I don’t totally understand, just listening shows him that what he cares about is important to me.
The same goes for my younger son, who recently decided we had to analyze the running trajectories of the XC athletes he’ll face at his next meet. Sitting down to research and build a spreadsheet together turned into an unexpectedly awesome way to connect. These moments, where I step into their world, have become some of our most meaningful.
4. Build Life-Long Learning
When kids are really into something, like trains, dinosaurs, or superheroes, they want to know everything about it. Honestly, it's pretty incredible to watch. My son, for example, has picked up some awesome research skills just by exploring his current special interest. If he is into something, you can bet he knows ALL there is to know about it. He's flipped through books, checked out websites, watched tons of videos, and even looked at technical guides most adults wouldn't touch. These deep dives aren't just fun for him; they teach him how to find information, solve problems, and think critically. These are the same skills that are useful in jobs like engineering, writing, science, or tech. By supporting what our kids are passionate about now, we're not just encouraging a love for learning; we're giving them a head start for whatever they want to do later.
Practical Advice for Parents and Educators
If you’re raising or teaching a child with intense special interests, here are some tips that have worked for me:
For Parents
- Engage Without Taking Over: It’s tempting to try and shape your child’s passions (“How about less time drawing unicorns and more time on homework?”). Instead of redirecting, aim to join in. Ask questions, offer resources, take them on “field trips” related to their obsession, and basically just participate in their world. Join in their joy!
- Set Boundaries Without Dismissing: While I loved my son’s enthusiasm, it was necessary to set some boundaries with other parts of life. We had to have “train-free” hours during preschool or certain outings while still ensuring he always got plenty of time to explore his passion. A helpful compromise was letting him wear clothing with his obsession to school instead of taking the toy. He dressed up as Batman for almost a full year in Preschool (not full costume, just a Batman t-shirt, black or blue pants, and occasionally gloves)
- Encourage Growth Through Interests: When a child builds knowledge in their passion area, they’re developing perseverance, expertise, foundational skills, and confidence. Look for ways to broaden those horizons. For instance, my son’s train interest evolved from just interest in the trains to engineering with train track design and then onto elaborate LEGO builds for buildings and towns to go with the track layouts.
- · Supplies and Exposure: Provide access to materials, toys, and experiences that support your child’s interest. Encourage friends and family to keep your child’s interests in mind when buying gifts, in conversation, or going on outings. It’s a wonderful way to encourage bonding and a guaranteed way to ensure your child’s enthusiasm (which is often VERY appreciated by relatives). Create a wish list with your child to share with others. For instance, my child had an army of animal figurines from Safari Ltd. He would circle animals he liked in the catalog as a wish list for birthdays and Christmas to share with relatives.
For Educators
- Integrate Passions into Lessons: Use special interests as a hook to teach other subjects. An animal buff? Incorporate designing and measuring habitat enclosures with STEAM. A musician? Use rhythm and sounds for pattern lessons.
- Allow Choice: Give students choice and agency over their learning whenever possible, such as in writing topic selection and research.
- Foster Peer Connections: Encourage students with similar interests to team up. Whether it’s a science fair project on dinosaurs or an art activity themed around superheroes, shared passions spark relationships.
- Celebrate Strengths: Highlighting a student’s deep knowledge not only boosts their confidence but can also inspire classmates. It shows all kids that being “different” is something to be proud of. My son’s fifth grade teacher blocked off a period of time on Fridays as a type of show and tell. Kids could do a presentation on what they were into. It was a fantastic way to build community, teach peer-to-peer, practice public speaking, build presentations, develop functional writing skills, and boost confidence! I thought it was brilliant.
The Bigger Picture
My sons always surprise me with where their passions take them. Sometimes, their interests fade quickly. Other times, they evolve into long-term skills. What matters most, though, is that these passions have shaped them, taught them (and me) invaluable lessons, and brought countless hours of pure delight.
Another note, neurodivergent kids, like my son, aren't likely to be bound by convention; their special interests often remind us of the beauty of seeing the world through a unique lens. Whether you’re a parent or teacher, remember this: our role isn’t to force them into a box of “normalcy.” It’s to celebrate their difference and help them thrive as they are.
Standing in both a classroom and my sons’ bedroom doorway, I’ve learned to see special interests as gifts. They’re not just hobbies, projects, or quirks; they’re bridges to greater things and keystones for emotional regulation. Whether in a classroom or a living room, the various obsessions remind me daily of all the ways kids learn, grow, and shine when we dare to meet them where they are and give them agency over following their dreams.
For parents and teachers who care, our job is simple but profound. Listen. Celebrate. And never underestimate the magic tucked inside every child.
About the Author
Anji Audley is a former teacher and tutor with experience spanning preschool through middle school, bringing a deep understanding of child development and the power of playful, hands-on learning. As a mother of two boys, an artist, a nature lover, and passionate advocate for hands-on, playful learning, she loves blending creativity, nature, and play to spark curiosity in young minds.
With a focus on STEAM and early literacy, Anji believes in the power of cross-content and multisensory learning to create meaningful educational experiences. She advocates for learning that is engaging, immersive, and filled with wonder. You can find her exploring nature, diving into good books, painting or creating, and continuously searching for new ways to educate the whole child.
