Add Zing To Your Child's Flair

Right from the time a child is born, activities of its eyes,financial priorities with the clear aim to permit their child
ears, lips, hands and legs are very carefully watchedto develop the hobby.
by the parents and other close relatives. Each activity- The teachers must help the child in debates,
of the newly born child is interpreted by differentorganising children's painting competitions, etc., where
relatives in their own manner as per their age,the children get a chance to show their own
experience and status (or understanding) in life. Thesecompositions, ideas, sketches, paintings, etc. i.e. their
interpretations continue to increase as the child grows.talents.
Up to the age of nearly three years, the parents and- Even the relatives (specially the close ones) must
close relatives continue doing this exercise to see howencourage the child by giving presents that are in line
these facilities are developing in the infant.with the child's interests. The relatives could bring
After the age of three, the child starts going to asketch books and pencil sets for making sketches if
playschool and starts studying gradually. His teachersthat is the child's hobby, for instance on children's
monitor his progress at school and the parentsbirthdays, give a chance to children to speak on some
continue monitoring the traits of the child at home.subject of their choice. This will encourage the child to
Progress reports sent periodically by school authoritiesspeak in public more confidently. Even small poems or
to the parents and parent-teacher meetings startjokes can encourage the child. Every child must be
indicating the talent of the child - i.e. in which line, spheregiven a "present" (as a small token of appreciation of
or activity the child has the bent of mind. Logically,his talent, vocabulary and confidence in speaking
some basic ideas start percolating in the minds of theamong children and adults).
elders with regard to the expected talent the child has.- The child must be encouraged time wise and money
At times, these talents get developed in life even atwise by parents primarily to develop his talent. If the
the age of 10 or 15 years.child is interested in cricket, the parents must
In short, everyone has to accept silently that everyoneencourage him to join some local cricket club. In case
has a talent in life and it starts sprouting right from thethe child is interested in swimming, encourage the child
early childhood or later childhood years.to join swimming classes and so on. The parents
The most difficult task is to interpret the talent of theshould give priority to the talent of the child in terms of
child. The talent correctly interpreted can lead to aits development, under guidance and in a scientific
hobby or even career of the child in later years whenmanner.
the grown-up child is planning his vocation.- Encourage the child to face competition. The
The main point, which requires emphasis is thatpresent-day world is a world of competition. No one
everyone has a talent right from birth. We may comecan excel unless he sits along with his age-mates and
to know it in early childhood or late childhood. What isgets high scores in his life. He must find a way to get
required is to search for and locate this talent.the best marks and stand on merit in the competition.
The following tips may help the search:The child must be permitted to join hobby classes. The
- Recall the traits of early childhood. Recall how thetraining in any type of hobby is essential. A trained or
child was responsive to various senses when thewell-guided child can positively perform better as
chance was given.compared to untrained children who lack the
- Recall the likes and dislikes of the child during laterfundamentals of the basics of its hobby.
years. For example a child never interested in toys but- Encourage the child to join group gatherings and
in making drawing and sketches, when given a chanceoutings for short durations of three to six days. This will
by the parents, may became an artist. This is how theinculcate more confidence in the child which otherwise
talent can help a child. Even a career can be coinedhe will not get while sitting in the four walls of his house.
out of the talent.Such short outings under the supervision of some
- At school, a child may be good in mathematics orseniors are essential for the proper development of
science or sports or discussions (debates) and so on.the child's confidence in itself.
All these early signs in a child help understand his- Let the child understand that no one expects
nature and inclination. Help of teachers is alsowonders or trophies to start with. But dedicated effort,
substantial when it comes to the child's behaviour in aa sincere approach and good preparation is all what is
group of classmates of nearly the same age.required. The trophies will start skating towards the
- The choice of the child in selecting a particular typesincere ones automatically.
of toy (time and again) also indicates his tendencies,- Everyone cannot be a leader. Some have to be the
which could be interpreted suitably.followers also. Accordingly, the place is to be created
- This is the computer age. At least 10 per cent of thefor each individual excelling in a group. Even in the
children (in the age group of three to six years) whoacting stream, everyone cannot be a actor - i.e. one
have computers at home know how to use it or howmust get satisfied ultimately at whatever space he
to play the computer games and so on. This is also agets settled into while in a group.
pointer that probably the child may develop an- Let everyone understand that against 20 bogies of a
inclination for indoor games rather than outdoor games.train, the engine is only one. It means that among 16 or
- Talent inherited is easily visible as in sons and20 odd players, the captain is only one. No one can be
daughters of film stars and sports persons. Thesea captain of his team to start with. First one has to
inherited talents get visible very easily and quickly withcultivate the qualities of a captain - i.e. first deserve
age and time.then desire.
- After the talent is ascertained, the requirement is toFinally, let all of us understand that talent has to be
sharpen it. Since everyone has a talent and the role ofdeveloped gradually by a sincere, dedicated and
the parents and teachers comes forth to encourageguiding approach to a child's talent, hobby or sport.
the child so that his particular talent gets sharpened.Everyone accordingly must sincerely try to look for his
Sharpening talent necessarily , may be difficult task athidden talent (if he does not know it till now) and try to
home but, once the help of outsiders and teachers issharpen it by setting his own priorities in life. As an
taken the talent gets sharpened silently and gradually.individual you must set apart one or two hours a day
A few points which are likely to sharpen the talents ofor week (depending on your age, status and work
the child, are given below:schedule) for sharpening your talent. The time, finally
- The parents must encourage their child to developwill depend upon your own priorities set by you for
the talent. The child's hobbies do cost in terms of timeyourself. The talented man has to gradually shine so
and money and parents may have to reschedule theirlong as his efforts are dedicated and sincere.