HELPING CHILDREN FIND THEIR GIFTS & TALENTS

Helping your children tap into their passions and their talents is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. It helps them connect to the essence of who God designed them to be. There is no greater self-esteem booster than to know who you are, and be passionate about what you have to offer the world. As youngsters, its not always that easy to know what their gifts and passions are. Here are five ways to help make that process simpler.

Expose your children to a variety of different activities:
Try not to limit them to what is comfortable and familiar to you. For example, if you like sports, its natural to get your children involved in sports but that may not be their interest or gift.

Stay tuned into your child’s world:
Listen to what your children might be telling you regarding their interests. Children will talk incessantly about what interests them. Even if doesn’t interest you, listen anyway. And listen to what your children are saying about what they don’t like or expected, they have given you valuable information about themselves. Listen to the subtle clues you receive as well.

Encourage your child’s gift and passions:
I have heard so many stories of parents throwing a wet blanket over their child’s dreams because they didn’t see it as viable option in life. Don’t be the one to suppress or put an end to your child’s dreams and passions. Even if their passions seem so unrealistic, let them dream and follow their heart. You don’t know where God will lead them.

Don’t be afraid to let something go:
Your child may try different activities for a while and then decide he or she doesn’t like them. Even if your child excels at an activity, it is okay to let that activity go. Unless you notice a chronic habit of starting and stopping, it is totally okay to try things out and find out its not your cup of tea, but tell him/her to finish the activity and quit. This teaches them the need to keep commitment that they make and not waste money.

Let your child take the lead:
It’s always a good idea to let your take the lead when it comes to choosing her/his passions and talents. Your role is to be the coach or guide. You can make suggestions based on what you are seeing or hearing from them. You can encourage their talents and passions and expose them to different activities. It’s for the child to decide whether he wants to participate on a long term basis or not.

Each child is a unique individual, designed perfectly by God. They have their own set of talents and passions that will grow and eventually be a gift given to this world in some ways. Unless your child finds what makes him/her uniquely, he/she will not be happy and living a life of fulfilment and purpose. As parents, it’s a gift to help our children find their talents and passions.