Talent and passion aren’t always linked, but when they are, amazing things can happen. It’s also a sign of good fortune, because some people may be extremely talented at certain practices but never find out, due to a lack of interest, time, inclination or enjoyment. You, the person reading this, may be the best rally driver to ever grace autosports, but perhaps you’ll never find out if that’s the case or not.
As such, parents who see a talent in their children will often want to nurture it, to the degree that they can. It’s important to let them develop at their own pace of course, but to also gently nudge them to do the best they can. Such approaches have been the major interest of social scientists, child psychologists, and even artists the world over – often posing one question – how much should you push for your child to be great?
Well, this is a thorny issue, and so we won’t attempt to answer it here. But what we can offer is a heartfelt, warm, and gentle guide for parents, convincing them to take that academic or athletic passion seriously and inspiring their love in the right direction. This way, you can make sure your child has the means to if not excel, at least deeply enjoy and mature through their chosen practice, as is appropriate for their age.
With that in mind, please consider:
Finding The Best Classes
The right class can be incredible for helping to nourish a child’s insight in an area they’re passionate about. This doesn’t mean you have to pay tens of thousands a year for the best drama school the moment they suggest a preference for acting, as local community centers often offer wonderful beginner programs where children can explore their interests without pressure, and that goes no matter what it is.
If you’re hesitant, talk to other parents about their experiences, and visit a few classes to watch how the instructor interacts with students. Great teachers bring out the best in children through patience and genuine care, especially with harder disciplines such as in the best ballet classes. If you can, look for smaller class sizes where your child will get proper attention but still make friends with others who share their interests. If their school has a program, such as providing optional musical lessons and instruments, that could be a place to start!
A Focus On Safety, Care and Fun
Children tend to flourish more easily when they feel secure and supported. At this level, making sure any program you choose puts safety and fun first is much more important than making them into perfect little gymnasts (or whatever that craft they’re focused on is), because being a child is about developing love and understanding, not necessarily being best in the world at something. Watch how your child responds after each session.
A good question to ask yourself is do they come out smiling and eager to tell you what they learned? That’s the sweet spot to shoot for. Good programs you find willl build confidence through small victories while keeping the atmosphere light and playful. Some classes, such as those that teach martial arts for children, will begin with safety first, teaching children how to de-escalate conflict, and also how to correctly manouvre themselves before any moves or sparring sessions are learned. They will also let your child know it’s okay to make mistakes, as that’s how we learn and grow.
Put simply – make sure the principles are healthy when selecting a developmental route. It will be more sustaining than you had imagined.
Gentle Competitiveness
Every child responds differently to competition, assuming that the practice you’ve chosen has it. Keep in mind that some thrive on friendly rivalry, but others prefer to challenge themselves. Pay attention to what motivates your child to define this. If you praise their effort and progress rather than focusing solely on results, they’ll become a good sport and the kind of person others want to compete with.
When they face setbacks, help them see these moments as chances to improve, as you’re creating a full-scale change in how they regard themselves this way, and the attitudes they take to future engagements.
Investing In Their Practice
Supporting your child’s passion often means investing time and resources wisely, but it can also mean having fun with them. For example, if they’re learning guitar, you can’t go wrong by showing them artists like Prince and Jimmy Hendrix and Mark Knopfler.
As far as equipment goes, it’s fine to start with quality basic items that suits their level. As they progress, you can upgrade gradually based on their commitment and needs. Remember that expensive gear doesn’t make the artist or athlete. Think of some of the best footballers in the world who came from relatively poor conditions. Many children have developed amazing skills with simple tools and dedication as long as they have appropriate space to do so, you just have to be accommodating to regular practice time that fits naturally into your family schedule.
Attending Competitions and Taking A Healthy Interest
It’s healthy to show your support by being present at their events and performances, and being their biggest advocate. Having at least one family member there is important, as is learning enough about their chosen field to have meaningful conversations, but remember you’re their parent first and coach second.
You can also listen when they want to share their achievements or concerns. If you ask questions that show you care about their experience, not just their results, they’ll see they can open up to you. Your genuine interest means more than any trophy or medal by far, so focus on that.
Protecting Your Child In Competitive Spaces
Every competitive environment comes with its own challenges, and the nature of it can help you see the best and worst of human nature in one fell swoop. We’d recommend you stay involved enough to ensure your child feels safe and supported, but not necessarily fight all battles for them unless they’re quite young.
It’s much more important to have open communication so they tell you if something doesn’t feel right. Being present also means you get to know other parents and create a supportive community in general. When life is all about a given discipline, you have to be mindful and watch for signs of burnout or anxiety, remembering that your child is a child first of all.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily (and healthily) nurture an expressed passion and talent in your little one.
What do you think?