Everybody has a hidden talent – that goes without saying. Some kids might find out on their own and some others may need a bit of encouragement. That being said, there’s nothing wrong in encouraging them, whether they need it or not.
As we watch our kids grow, we take note of their strengths and weaknesses, consciously or subconsciously. Before long, we know what their true talents are. Children are not aware of this entirely, especially not the younger ones. They can, however, realise their talents, gradually, when we channelise their productivity in the right way.
My eldest daughter, Rita, has always had a knack for numbers. I noticed this when she was very little when she would do simple addition and subtraction problems in her head before any of her peers could. Once my husband and I understood her mastery in numbers, we would try and ask her math questions, appropriate for her age, every now and then. Each time she got an answer right (which was almost every time), she would be elated!
The key to channelise your child’s talents is to bring about a balance between encouragement and honest feedback. If, say, your child is good at a sport or at cooking, let them know in which areas they can improve while applauding them for their finer skills. Remember that too many negative comments could discourage your child, so keep those in check and deliver them in a subtle manner.
All children cannot be good at every skill there is but I believe every child is great at one skill at least. Help your child find his or hers!
What hidden talents does your child have? How did you help them realise it? Let me know in the comments!
One Response
My eldest has this incredible knack for solving puzzles and he’s so good at it! I totally second with you on the fact that every child has some skill and parents should fuel their curiosity. Beautifully written, Caroline 🙂