Encouraging the Use of Gifts, Celebrating Self-Expression

Last Wednesday, Fionita, one of my little angels, inspired me to write this blog. She is seven years old. She enjoys many things such as playing with legos, taking care of her pet “Latte”, a hamster, playing with her Barbies, having fun with her friends who live next door. Among many other interests, her favorite thing to do is paint. She loves it. With a big smile and happy face, she said to me, while I was observing her “I WANT TO BE A FAMOUS ARTIST”. And I sensed her intensity. In my heart of hearts, I believe that she will be an artist. I do not know if she will be famous; but Fionita draws or paints every day. Her young life is intertwined with self- expression.

I hope you have the same experience with your child(ren), enjoying them as you witness them using their talents. It isn’t  beautiful?

When I was talking with some friends about children's talents, they names a number of areas of self-expression such as drawing, playing a musical instrument, dancing, writing, interacting with others, dressing up to name few. They also referred to those with athletic abilities and others with gifts and interest in the science and in math.  

Reading educational articles on the subject, most experts agree that talents refers to some natural ability based on an area of strength. Also other experts believe that both the child's personality and the types of opportunities available in the environment over a period of time play a large role in the development of a talent.

The following are example of activities your preschool child experience to practice skills in several talents areas:

• Counting and looking for patterns in different types of toys (mathematical ability)
• Planting seeds and monitoring their growth or classifying objects based on size, shape, color and weight (scientific thinking)
• Taking turns while playing charades or a board game (social skills)
• Supplying directions for making something or providing a new ending to a story (verbal ability)
• Building with legos, blogs, or other materials (spatial skills)
• Listening to different types of music and recognizing changes in tempo (musical ability)

To facilitate and support your young child's talents consider these suggestions:

• Be patient with your young child when you see potential talent. In most people who have been recognized for their talent, the skills and personality to pursue that area have developed over a log period of time;
• Be aware that young children who show initial strength in an area such as mathematics, music, or art, might no be interested in practicing the skills related to this area; help them to enjoy the topic first and the talent may develop later;
• Recognize that children show precocity in an area should receive attention in that area in order to further the development of their skills and should also be engaged in a variety of other activities.

 Fionita enjoys art; but she also plays sports, is encouraged to nurture friendships and to develop her sense of humor by reading and telling stories and jokes.

(See the website for more information. Below is the link:) http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/nrcgt/reports/Trifolds/A9818.pdf

I would love to hear from you. Please share some more ways in which we can support our children in their use of talents.

Have a wonderful week, see you soon.