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As a parent, it is your job to help your child reach their full potential. One aspect of this is to identify and cultivate what talents they may have even while you may be a worker. Whether they are great at a sport or are creative in some way, you should be helping them develop these talents. Here is what you can do to ensure that your child will develop their skills to the best of their ability.
Provide Opportunities
You won’t know what skills to develop in your child if you don’t give them a chance to show off. There are several ways you can see what your child’s talents are. For one, you probably have some playtime with your child. If possible, you should change the various things that you do. One day, you might be doing some finger painting. The next day, you could be playing some sport. This allows you to see them doing various things. See how your child reacts to all of these activities. The key to developing talent is enthusiasm for it.
Besides having your child do things, you can also expose them to various experiences. For example, it might seem difficult to take children along to theaters or other venues, but these trips can awaken a sense of wonder in the child. Some of the world’s great singers and performers remember the first time they went to a concert or a play. They often point to these experiences as the spark that got them started.
Start Encouraging Them
When you find out what your child likes to do, then it is time to start encouraging them. Your child will not develop their talent if they don’t get to practice it. There are several approaches on how you can promote your child’s talent. For example, those who like music would love to have some simple instruments. A simple drum or even a tambourine can get children used to some basic concepts of music. As for those who are more athletic, then buying them some sporting gear can be a great way to get them started.
Framing these activities as a form of play can be very effective. Children who already enjoy an activity like singing or dancing will love regular performance times. Be there to praise them and see them perform. Don’t be critical and always be positive about their efforts. They are still young so don’t expect masterpieces of them. But these can be good signs for the future.
Give Them Formal Training
At some point, you will need to give your child some formal training. This is essential if you want them to completely develop their skills. If you have skills in a particular activity, then you should be the one to give these beginner lessons. For example, if you are pretty good at golf and your child wants to start golfing, then you should start playing with them.
While this is a good start, you should then move on to formal schooling. There are things that an actual teacher would be able to train your child. For example, formal piano classes can teach your child more than they can learn on their own. This includes playing techniques and good habits.
With an expert teaching your child, you should also clear up their schedule so they have practice times that will sharpen their skills. According to some studies, it takes 10,000 hours of practice to reach a master level in a particular skill. Children have the advantage that they can reach that level of practice at a younger age.
Be Ready To Let Things Go
A talented child is something to be proud of. Developing their skills and interest in a particular activity can take time but it will only bring good things for your child. But remember that all of it is dependent on your child’s enthusiasm. If your child wants to stop training or practicing something, you should not force them to continue. This is even if your child is showing talent in something.
Your child should be the one taking the lead when it comes to doing an activity. If they are enthusiastic about something, then give your full support. This can be long-term or short-term but it has to be their decision. Only make them continue until the end of an activity or the course so that you can be sure that they want to stop. They are still young so if they find the spark again, then they can try once more in the future.
As a parent, it is your job to help your child bring out their full potential. Provide them with the opportunities they need so that they can fully shine.
