Every child has the potential to do great things. It may not be easy to spot, but a child’s talent and knack for certain things can manifest at an early age. Most parents fail to acknowledge this and disregard them as childish behavior that would disappear as time goes. This often leads to the child’s talents degrading into mere hobbies as they grow older. In contrast, skills nurtured from a young age can develop into outstanding abilities. But how does one determine where a child’s talents lie? And what are the necessary steps to nurture it?
Exposure
Exposing your child to different things is a straightforward way to identify their early skills. Through this process, you can gauge their reactions and interest in certain activities. Your goal in doing so is to identify activities they like and continue their exposure to them.
But how exactly can you go about doing this? You can start with the easiest, which is sports. Watch different kinds of sports with them and see which one they take the most interest in. Afterward, teach them the basics of the sport they chose and engage in repeated practice with them until they have a firm grasp of the basics.
If you don’t think physical sports are a good fit for your child, other options are available. Try to expose them to chess and see if they’ll show any interest. Like with sports, an aptitude for chess starts with exposure to the game and can progress through repetition. The ability to play chess at a young age not only shows aptitude for the game. It also indicates an analytical mind capable of seeing things through different angles. In a way, chess can serve as a foundation for your child’s critical-thinking ability.
Books can be a great medium for your child to show their talent. Oftentimes, parents mistake their child’s intelligence as simply being smart and leave it at that. If your child shows a hunger for knowledge, indulge them by giving them books and other written works to satisfy their craving. Nurture their comprehension by asking them what they’ve learned in class today and if they understand what they have learned. A child’s inquisitiveness can evolve into a superior intellect with the proper care and guidance.
Talent for art can manifest in a variety of ways. Your child’s numerous drawings or avid singing can be signs of talent. Provide them a medium with which they can channel this potential talent and see how it goes. If your child shows a flair for drawing, give them the tools necessary to practice. Or you can consider putting them into classes that teach piano if they show some prowess with the instrument.
Of course, a child’s genius isn’t limited to tangible things. For example, a talent for leadership is often overlooked or unrecognized by most parents. This kind of talent manifests later than others and usually gets discovered through team activities in the classroom. If nurtured, this kind of talent can be a valuable asset for your kid in the future.
Bringing Out the Potential
After exposing your child to various things and identifying their skill, it’s time to think of ways to realize their potential fully. This process depends on which area your child is adept at. If they showed a knack for a sport like Basketball or Baseball, give them a slight push to the next level by participating in a game with kids their age. Playing with others can give valuable experiences and lessons. It can also serve as motivation for your child to do better in the sport.
Participating in competitions is the next step for musically adept children. By competing, they can get a sense of where their skill level currently lies and what they can do to become better. The same can be said with similar areas of art such as singing, dancing, and painting. A competition can instill the desire to improve within your child.
Never Be Forceful
As a parent, it’s good to want to know what your kid’s talents are and nurture them. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your child improve and excel. However, it is important to distinguish between something a child wants to be good at and something they are forced to be good at. A parent’s expectations can pressure a child to engage in an activity that doesn’t interest them. Before committing to nurturing a skill or talent, make sure it is something your child enjoys doing. Otherwise, improving said talent will be more for your sake rather than for your child.
