Special Talents for Kids: Discover Your Child’s Inner Genius
As the mother of a six-year-old girl who is already signing autographs, many parents have asked me what I did to develop her talent. Do you attend a public or private school? Do I homeschool or contract private tutors? What activities do I put it in? How did I first realize that she might have a special gift?
Of all the questions I am asked, the most important is the second. How did I first realize that she had a special gift?
This essential question begets the premise of my core belief that each child has a special gift lurking within. Each person has an innate aptitude that he was born with and the challenge is to help him discover, discover and realize that aptitude in a healthy and positive way.
If you want to discover the innate talent your child was born with, ask yourself three questions:
1. What does your child choose to do when he has “nothing” to do?
2. What do they do so often that you’ve even asked them to stop because it’s starting to drive you crazy?
3. What do you do so naturally that you don’t even realize you’re starting to do it really well?
If you can’t answer these three questions, here’s a suggestion. For several weeks (or longer hopefully) turn everything OFF with electrical cords, buttons, batteries, and displays.
What does your child do when it seems like they have nothing to do? Do they take your chopsticks and stick a bridge, or do they scribble on all the papers within reach? Do they read books with a flashlight long after bedtime or create stories about imaginary people and events? Do they carve sculptures out of the butter cube, sing every song they hear, or gaze at the stars? Do they dance alone in their room even when there is no full moon? Do they write poems or short stories, kick the can for hours, beat the beats on tables, do magic tricks, invent science experiments in the backyard, play tennis against the garage door, cook fluffy western omelettes for their little sister? ? , fly kites, create insect collections or insist on combing the dog?
Each of these activities suggests a natural direction that could indicate your gift.
Creativity doesn’t flourish under the weight of a tight schedule, so choose your activities sparingly. Planned lessons may work well with your lifestyle, but simply making the tools of your child’s perceived talent available may be enough. If your child seems to like art, instead of worrying about the mess, get a plastic tablecloth and get out some art supplies. If your child plays the rhythm on the wall, don’t complain about the noise, consider buying a drum set and earplugs for yourself instead. If you like to read, take a trip to the local library or join a reading and writing club. If you like to collect critters, don’t make fun of your six-legged friends, enjoy knowing that they may have a budding entomologist or vet in their house.
It’s hard to find our special talents when we’re paralyzed by modern media. Creativity and self-discovery are not inspired when spoon-fed by others in such an enticingly easy and fascinating setting.
Once the external noise is turned off for a good part of the day, you can quietly observe what makes your child interested and interested; you’ll be well on your way to helping them, and perhaps yourself, discover that special, innate talent of genius that each of us receives as our first true birthday present.