Children are unique in their own ways. Find out how you can discover your child’s gifts and talents through these tips.
Observe.
Take time to watch your child play. Don't assume that your child's play is meaningless. A child will act and play in ways that may reflect differing natural, individual interests, intelligences and abilities.
Talk to your child.
Ask your children about what things seem to interest them and why.
Listen to your child.
Listen to whatever your children might be telling you regarding their interests, even if it doesn’t interest you. And listen to what they’re saying about what they don’t like. Listen to the subtle clues you receive. A child that loathes playing sports is probably not very interested in sports.
Expose your child to different activities.
Don’t limit your children to what is comfortable and familiar to you. If you grew up playing musical instrument, it’s natural if you share your passion to them, but that may not be their interest or gift. Try other activities as well.
Encourage your child.
Don’t be the one to kill your children’s dreams and passions. Even if their passions seem so unrealistic, let them dream and follow their heart.
Guide your child.
Let your children take the lead when it comes to choosing their passions and talents. As their coach or guide, you can make suggestions based on your observations and conversations with your child.
Consider the theory of multiple intelligences.
These are the 8 multiple intelligences theorized by American developmental psychologist Howard Gardner:
1. Linguistic intelligence: Sensitivity to and responses about symbolic language, the shades of meaning, and the order and context of words
2. Logical-mathematical intelligence: Ability in mathematics, other complex logical systems including formal and informal reasoning.
3. Musical intelligence: Ability to understand, perceive and create music -- highly developed in musicians, singers, composers and dancers
4. Spatial intelligence: Ability to "think in pictures," to perceive the visual world more accurately, and recreate, alter or manipulate it physically, or in the mind or with graphical representations such as on paper -- highly developed in artists, architects, designers and sculptors
5. Bodily-kinaesthetic intelligence: Ability to use one's body in a skilled way, for self-expression or toward a goal -- highly developed in mime artists, dancers, sports players, physically expressive singers and actors
6. Interpersonal intelligence: Ability to feel, perceive and understand other individuals -- their moods, desires, and motivations; mostly used by skilled individuals in political and religious leadership, parenting and teaching, and therapy use
7. Intrapersonal intelligence: Understanding of one's own reactions, thoughts and emotions. Some novelists and counsellors turn their own perceptions and experiences to influence or guide others.
8. Naturalist intelligence: Ability to recognize, comparatively to systematically classify plants, flora and fauna, animals, minerals, the earth and cosmos.
Discover your child’s gifts and talents as early as possible so you can nurture those as you raise up your child. Consider getting professional help from the top childcare service providers.