Free the child’s potential and you transform him (her) into the world
– Maria Montessori.
It is believed that talent is rare. But did you know that psychologists say that everyone can learn with the same aptitude and develop talents effectively, if the right environment is provided and correct practices are followed?
As parents, you would certainly want your child’s hidden talents to flourish, right? Naturally, you would also be willing to go the extra mile to spot those talents and nurture them in the best possible way! The question is how are you going to create the best environment for your children? Obviously, the first step is to find a good teacher, but your contribution doesn’t end there.
Today, we are going to discuss the extra steps that you need to take to unleash your child’s talents. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are some ways that are easy to follow!
The seeds of talent are best planted early and at home. In fact, several studies have shown that the best talents emerge when they are introduced to their preferred fields between the ages of 2 and 6. Young children who are just beginning their learning journey are fascinated by almost everything! However, if you observe carefully, you would notice that there are certain activities that they show extra interest in.
It might be learning about insects, playing baseball or a keyboard, or showing extra interest in art. Your child could also be quick to learn the bicycle or run faster! Such areas of interest can be spotted even when children are as young as three years of age. While gauging your child’s interests and talent, the inclination has to come from the child. It’s important that you wear the hat of the guide and quietly observe your children as they play. After all, that’s how they learn!
But how do we spot these signs? Several parenting resources, books and personal experiences with my child has taught me, children in their early years will show these signs when they are interested and talented in certain areas.
Every child has their own learning curve and it’s essential for parents to understand that. Despite having immense talent, not all children easily adapt to routine. Sometimes, your child may not want to continue training – they may be bored or might feel pressured by the extra effort over and above their academic requirements.
Your child may say, “I want to play with my friends more, I don’t want to practice the violin today,” or “Can I watch this movie instead of playing chess today?” During these times, you need to step into their shoes and allow a pause if your child asks for it. You can also talk to your child and think of ways to make the learning and practise sessions more interesting.
After all, a conducive and encouraging environment will motivate your child to learn and grow better!
“Am I doing it right?”— this could be one of the doubts in your child’s mind while they nurture their talents. To help them with a sense of direction, you can make it a practice to periodically review their activities and progress. You could meet the trainers/teachers with the child by your side and understand their progress. It will not only give your child some direction, but it will also help you find ways to enhance your child’s outcomes with some constructive feedback. Ultimately, when a parent is involved, children will also have a companion to discuss their progress with and have an enriching experience.
A little motivation now and then will go a long way to ensure that your child gives their best. In a situation where your child is finding it difficult to pick up a song or a dance routine, you can motivate them with simple phrases like – ‘You are doing great’ or ‘I understand this is difficult. You can take your time and master this song at your pace. I am with you.” This will encourage your child to enjoy their learning journey better. In other ways to motivate your children, you can also show examples of great artistes who have worked hard and encourage them to have role models who made it big! They can seek inspiration from these artistes and get inspired to put their best foot forward.
Did you find this article helpful? Can you think of other ways to unleash your child’s talents and share your inputs in the comments?
Aparna is a mom, singer and dreamer. At BYJU'S, she writes stories about learning for children. She believes in the power of music, especially ghazal, the magic of the universe and happy learners. When not writing or singing, you will find her intensely engaged in conversations about life and the power of words.
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