Not everyone is gifted with so much talent or knowledge that can easily be recognized and equated to a gifted child. For the most part, the gifted child’s talents will be very obvious but for others, the genius can hide subtly behind your child’s seeming innocence and ignorance of the world. As parents, your instincts will play a great role in finding out if your child has some hidden talents that should be readily exposed to the world and at the same time, nurtured by a loving and affectionate environment.
When nurturing the gifted child, take heed of some helpful tips shared by most experts and psychologists. Encourage the genius in your kid by making sure that your house is filled with the necessary resources to keep up with his talents. The musician in him for example will not exactly need expensive piano or guitar but you can do away with second-hand instruments that will be willingly given by people who believe in your child. For the younger children, they could do well with simple plastic instruments or those makeshift instruments that parents can do. Doing the needed materials will also prove to be a great bonding moment for parents and their children.
When you are still figuring out what sort of giftedness your kid has, follow the cues he gives you. For example, when watching TV, does he become wide-eyed and explorative in topics about the universe, of black holes or of galaxies? Nurture this interest by visiting educational centers or museums which might cater to your child’s curiosity about particular things. If he is into artistic projects, then, bringing him into exhibits will greatly help. Additionally, nurture the giftedness by exposing your child in several activities. This could mean registering him in an arts class, a taekwondo or a music class. Do not however, force him into doing things he does not want; present options and let him choose.
The point behind nurturing your child is to be able to recognize your child’s talent and to encourage him to work on it without being too pushy. Take an active role and be involved in the learning processes experienced by your child. By all means, let the other carers as well as teachers also nurture the giftedness. Make sure that despite it all, humor is maintained all throughout as there are some gifted children who tend to be very rigid, structured and ultimately, impatient with the shortcomings of others who are not at par with them. While nurturing the talent, nurture the attitude of your child.
Do not pressure your child into keeping up with the standards of other geniuses. Resist the temptation of comparing your child to others. Even if your kid is a born genius, remember that he is still but human devoid of other characteristics, attitudes or talents some possess. He will have his frailties and those frailties will be a way for you to be the mother that he will ultimately depend on, genius or no genius.
