Every child has a talent, and it is your duty as the parent to help them build and develop such talent. We have so many talented names that are to reckon with in the world today. They all started out as young minds like your kids, picking interest in a particular field, and in the end becoming successful at what they do. Look at Michael Jordan, his talent was not initially appreciated as he was not allowed into his high school basketball team. However, as of today, he is the greatest NBA player alive. So many talented beings like that have stepped foot on this earth, they developed an interest in something and in the long run become great at what they do. The question here for you is, how were they able to succeed? The answer is simple, they were all talented.
Here are 7 practical ways to identify and nurture your child’s talent;
1. Pay Attention
Pay attention to your child during free play. What activity does your child gravitate towards when playing? You need to be able to identify what your child loves to do. Does he or she prefer running around or sitting quietly? Which would he or she go to first: piano, electronic tablet or swing? Paying attention to your child during free play helps you understand his or her interests, which can then be groomed into talent.
2. Create Chances to Develop Your Child’s Talent
This is a question of “what are you currently doing to develop your child’s talent?” As often as you can, organize events that make the most out of your child’s interests and talents. You can decide to involve your child in recreational activities relating to his or her interests or enroll him or her in talent-enhancing coaching sessions. For instance, if your child loves playing basketball, you can enroll him or her in a basketball team at his school or a sports center in your neighborhood.
3. Don’t Be Selfish
It is important to understand that it is not about you, but about the interest and passion of your child. Whether your child loves or hates the activity you want him or her to do, it’s not a reflection on you. A lot of parents are fond of picking out activities that interest them for their kids. What if your child does not like the so-called activity? What will you do? Parents make a huge mistake when they impose their own interests on their children. Just because Tani’s son plays for Chelsea doesn’t mean your child must become a footballer. He might not have a flair for it.
There is nothing wrong with having big dreams for your child. However, what is bad is when you force your child to engage in an activity that he or she has no passion for. This can lead to catastrophic outcomes such as poor academic grades, anti-social behavior, or depression. Therefore, allow your child to freely choose his or her area of interest and provide support where necessary.
4. Start them Young
The seeds of talent are usually planted early and in the home. Just like you start educating your child from an early age, by sending them to a quality school, it is the same way you should start nurturing your child’s talent at an early age. Children who are introduced to a particular skill usually between the ages 2 and 5 master their skills and become talented in their craft.
Start nursing your child’s talent very early; this will make it easy for your child to become familiar and confident in his or her gifts. When you involve your child in activities that interest him or her, your child will develop confidence and be ready to take risks and try new things.
5. Make Your Home Creative
Let your house express your creativity; let it show your artistic self. Children feel more alive and free when they are able to work in an environment or space that celebrates their inspiration. Cover your walls with art and other marks of the original expression.
For instance, if you are a songwriter, you can decorate your home with pictures of your favorite artists or musicians. Award plaques and trophies you have won in the past should also be displayed at different spots in your house. It is very important to share your passion with your children because this will fuel their own zeal to work on their talents.
6. Praise Efforts
As a parent, if you find out that your child works hard at a particular task, you should give him or her a reward for working hard. For example, if your child loves music and works hard on his school assignments, you can consider getting him a piano and a music coach.
If that child learns how to play some songs within a short time of practice, this is a milestone that should be appreciated. Also bear in mind that when we praise our children’s efforts, they become more inclined to take risks, make mistakes and learn from them. By praising step-by-step efforts, you are improving your child’s talent.
7. Choose a School that Provides Quality & Well-Rounded Education
The school you decide to send your children to matters a great deal to their success. Most parents have a lot of things they look out for when choosing a school; some look out for the type of curriculum being offered by the school, while others look out for the method of teaching & learning, health & safety, security, and environmental friendliness, etc.
However, if you want to nurture your child’s talent, it will be good to send your child to a school that offers well-rounded learning, because this type of learning takes the child beyond academic excellence. It also exposes the child to sports, entrepreneurship, music, performing arts and community service, etc. Well-rounded education plays a significant role in the development of a total child. Parents should also endeavour to register their children for extracurricular activities, as this will help to nurture their talents. Check out SchoolsCompass for schools that can help provide for the need of your child.
Your child’s talent should not be left in the dark, rather it should be embraced and celebrated. Encourage your children to work on their talents until they become comfortable and able to continue on their own.
