What Talent Should Children Learn? Experienced Parents Recommend These 3 Skills That Pay Off for Life: The Earlier, the Better

Many people were required by their parents to learn various talents during childhood. At the time, some may have felt reluctant or even resistant. However, as they grow older, certain skills unexpectedly become invaluable assets and survival tools in adulthood.

Recently, a user posted on the online forum Dcard asking whether there were any talents learned in childhood that people now look back on and feel grateful for—skills they don’t regret investing time in. The post quickly went viral, sparking heated discussion, with many experienced individuals naming "English, swimming, and abacus" as the ultimate practical trio.

One poster shared how he was grateful to his father for arranging chess lessons starting at a young age. Although he studied for over four years without becoming a professional player or earning a living from it, the entire learning experience was deeply enriching. He recalled a relaxed classroom atmosphere, patient teachers, and opportunities to play against peers, middle schoolers, and even semi-retired lawyers and doctors, engaging in wide-ranging conversations. Now, whenever he faces setbacks at work or feels mentally drained, those memories of playing chess bring him peace and comfort.

His reflections resonated with many others who also shared their experiences. One person said, "I studied calligraphy for over ten years. My handwriting improved, I became more composed, and my naturally impatient personality calmed down. I even won awards and prize money in competitions." Another, working in design, commented, "I took art classes, and now my career is directly related. All three siblings in my family pursued fields connected to our childhood talents—our parents made the right investments."

Musical instruments are often a top choice among parents, but they also frequently lead to adult regrets about not continuing. "I really regret quitting piano... Now when I hear beautiful piano covers, I can't recreate them myself—only a faint sense of pitch remains," one user lamented. Others echoed this sentiment: "My biggest regret is not learning piano earlier. My mom was a piano teacher, and only as an adult did I realize how expensive music lessons are—I missed a free opportunity."

On the other hand, some turned their talents into careers. One shared, "Yes! I play violin and piano, and now I'm in a music master's program, teaching music professionally." Others highlighted less obvious advantages, such as dance: "If I have kids, I’d consider enrolling them in dance. Kids who start dancing young seem less afraid of physical expression and carry themselves with more confidence than average."

Among hundreds of comments, the skills most consistently praised as "high-value, no-regrets" investments weren’t artistic—but highly practical. English, swimming, and abacus mental math were mentioned most frequently.

Many emphasized English as a life-changing and career-boosting skill. "If we’re not limiting to academic subjects, English is one of the few skills I believe truly pays off for most people throughout life—even though I hated going to cram school for it," said one. Another added, "Only English became my lifelong tool for making a living. My class ranking relied on English, and I was always first in English—finally, something I could excel at and feel proud of."

Swimming was hailed as the highest return-on-investment physical activity: "Swimming has the best cost-performance ratio—you never forget it," and "Swimming and English are truly the most worthwhile investments." Many noted that early abacus training brought lifelong benefits in daily calculations and basic math. "I only took abacus for three months, but it’s been useful forever," said one. Others agreed: "Abacus helps with all kinds of arithmetic in elementary and middle school, plus everyday shopping calculations," and "I didn’t reach a high level, but it was enough to handle high school math computations."

Additional skills like essay writing, public speaking, and stage presence also received praise. Some reflected, "Taking writing classes helped me understand article structure better," while another said, "Training in speech and recitation has been very helpful in university and the workplace—I’m much less nervous during presentations."

Overall, skills that may have felt forced in childhood—especially those with high practicality or emotional grounding—tend to mature over time into the most solid foundations for personal growth. What once seemed like parental pressure often becomes, in hindsight, one of life’s wisest investments.