Parenting Thoughts

For some children talents are easy to see quite early. For others, they develop more slowly with a lot of trial and error. It is important that your child’s special talents and interests come to light and are encouraged – both at home and at school.

Sometimes talents are not very easy to see. You have to look for them. This sounds harder than it really is. All you have to do is pay lots of careful attention to your child. Here are some questions that can help you figure out his or her talents.

• What is she really good at?

• What does he seem to stick with for longer periods of time than anything else?

• What does she go back to do over and over again?

• What does he have the most fun at?

• What does she ask the most questions about?

• Does he turn his toys upside down, pretend they are things they are not, or take them apart?

When you see talents in your children, point them out – and provide opportunities for them to develop those talents. Continue to pay attention and ask yourself the six questions every so often. Talents develop over time.  One day you may be sure your child will be a baseball star only to notice that the next time you look carefully, he or she only wants to think about all things bugs.

Inspired by IGGY PECK, ARCHITECT by Andrea Beaty

For more information about children’s talents: Your Child’s Special Talents, Part 1