DaddiLife
  • Home
  • Family
    • Modern Fatherhood
    • Trying
    • Expecting
    • New Dad
    • Stay At Home Dad
    • Separation
    • Single Dads
    • Step Dads
  • Things To Do
    • Kids at Home
    • Newborn
    • Toddler
    • 5 – 10
    • 10+
  • Health
    • Dad Jokes
    • Fitness
    • Family Meal Recipes
    • Safety
    • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
    • Work / Life Balance
    • Money
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Gear
  • Book Squad
  • Reviews
    • Gift Ideas
    • Family Fun
    • Toys
  • Dads at Work
    • Guides for Dads at Work
    • Case Studies
    • Q&A
    • Mentoring Programme
  • Join
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write With Us
  • Home
  • Family
    • Modern Fatherhood
    • Trying
    • Expecting
    • New Dad
    • Stay At Home Dad
    • Separation
    • Single Dads
    • Step Dads
  • Things To Do
    • Kids at Home
    • Newborn
    • Toddler
    • 5 – 10
    • 10+
  • Health
    • Dad Jokes
    • Fitness
    • Family Meal Recipes
    • Safety
    • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
    • Work / Life Balance
    • Money
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Gear
  • Book Squad
  • Reviews
    • Gift Ideas
    • Family Fun
    • Toys
  • Dads at Work
    • Guides for Dads at Work
    • Case Studies
    • Q&A
    • Mentoring Programme
  • Join

DaddiLife

The parenting website for dads

Education

How to Discover and Cultivate Your Child’s Hidden Talents

written by Rahman Stewart 25th November 2017
hidden talents, nurturing hidden talents

Being a single father, I frequently find myself wearing multiple hats. While juggling my many responsibilities, I have found it easy to get so busy. So busy that many times I’ve overlooked the things that, while seemingly small, deserve my constant attention as they could have a big impact. One example is the need to help my children develop their talents.

Some may think that this a subject to tackle later as a child heads towards adulthood. However, as our children grow up, it is important that we carve out the time now that will allow us to get to know their interests and goals. This, when cultivated, can lead to truly successful and fulfilling careers.

This article highlights three ways fathers can help their child(ren) discover and embrace their talents and passions. Ultimately to set them on a path for success in selecting their future career goals.

1. Be Attentive To What Your Children Are Drawn To

While watching my youngest daughter play and interact around our home, I noticed that she was drawn to working with her hands and doing things that stimulated a certain level of in-depth thinking.

More specifically, she was drawn to creating things. After paying closer attention, I realized that no matter what she asked for, everything that she requested allowed her to create something in some shape or form.

It was through observing those things, I began to understand what inspired and interested her.

Observing is the keyword here. A parent can never fully understand what makes their child(ren) tick without paying attention to their likes and dislikes, their excitements, and disappointments. It is important to take note of what they are fascinated with and allow them to explore these things. This will be key into helping them develop and hone their talents even at a young age.

Being attentive to your child makes them feel important and confident about themselves and their interests. It also allows you to gain insight on how to help them achieve their goals – no matter what stage they are in life.

2. Invest In What Excites Them

hidden talents, investing time to discover hidden talents

Once you have identified what interests your child(ren), the next and perhaps one of the most important steps is to invest in them and their hobbies or favorite pastimes.

According to “How to Identify and Develop Special Talents” by John F. Feldhusen, some of the most impactful ways to develop talents is tailoring activities, learning opportunities, and the gadgets they use to their specific interests. Be considerate when shopping for you child; placing more emphasis on the things that will help fuel and nurture them, which in turn can evolve into refined talents.

Over the last few years I have continued to invest in the items that my daughter consistently shows interest in.

I have watched her develop strong skills and abilities in both the arts and sciences, to the point of creating projects that often reflects a more mature and cultivated talent. She has taught herself to formulate her own products by mixing materials and conducting experiments.

Working as an analytical chemist for several years I understand that this is no simple task. I watch astounded as she conducts a very thorough search on the subject matter, gaining valuable knowledge on various processes and raw materials.

What makes this even more interesting is the level of research that she does. Being a severe asthmatic and having a highly reactive immune system, she also learns what products are more likely to be allergens and induce asthma attacks or skin irritations.

In many situations kids intuitively are preparing themselves for the field of study or career of choice. Parents are to support and guide them along that path.

In fact, without my influence or encouragement she has already declared that she wants to work in the biological / chemical arena.

3. Share In Their Interests To Discover Hidden Talents

hidden talents, sharing in hobbies

At first view, if a child tells their parent that they would like to pursue an interest in lets say cosmetology, it may be easy to think that you should redirect your child into a more lucrative, prestigious, or prominent industries.

But before making stereotypes or disregarding their aspirations, consider doing some research to learn more about what they are drawn to most. Remember to ask them questions about why they enjoy their specific hobby, goal, or potential career.

Just as my daughter expressed her interest in the biological and chemical arenas she also articulated her desire for cosmetology. Initially I questioned her interest but in fact, after looking back on things, I realized that I had purchased more Barbie and/or Bratz Styling Heads throughout the years than any other single item. But to her it wasn’t about the hair, it was more about her desire to create and cosmetology was another way for her to combine the arts and sciences.

So, once you’ve done your research, take what you’ve learned and share it with your child, creating opportunities that will allow you to grow together. As you grow and learn together you may discover that your child’s vision for their future or simply their ‘right now favorite pastime’ is one you can buy into too.

For instance, while exploring my child’s interests in cosmetology I found that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that this field will experience job growth that is “faster than the average for all occupations through 2024.” In addition, the income levels for cosmetology continue to rise due to a high demand in the beauty industry.

But only by exploring and sharing in a child’s interests and talents, would a parent know it is worth investing in with their child.

So remember dad: Watch, invest and share. Their talents are waiting to be discovered.

How to Discover and Cultivate Your Child’s Hidden Talents was last modified: November 25th, 2017 by Rahman Stewart

Related

daddilifehidden talentsnurturing your child's skillsstages of development
1 comment
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Rahman Stewart

Rahman Stewart is a single father of five residing in The Sunshine State. He is also an entrepreneur in the marketing and communications industry.

toilet signs, loos
previous post
Should dads with daughters use the ladies’ loo?
Dads matter
next post
DaddiLifeForce: Why dads matter

You may also like

E-Safety Guide – Instilling Digital Resilience

16th January 2018

Why we home educate our children

8th September 2019

Gender stereotyping and creating equality for our...

26th November 2021

Help with homeschooling: the best resources available...

17th January 2021

E-Safety Month – Lost in an online...

18th July 2018

Free Childcare for Kids Under 5 –...

7th August 2016

How to raise trilingual children

30th November 2018

Why Tom and Jerry were so ahead...

28th April 2016

How was back to school for you?

9th September 2018

life skills for kids – Role Models.me

11th February 2018

1 comment

To my daughter - Alex Hirst's open letter - DaddiLife 5th April 2018 at 5:22 pm

[…] wherever you are, at home, out in the world or at work, the most important thing that you can be is your true self. I also want to set an example to my fellow fathers, to my fellow men, that there is no need to […]

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Audiobooks for Dads

Get the latest dad news




Popular Things to Do

  • A Parent’s Guide To Tuff Trays

  • DaddiLifeForce – The Power of Lego

  • DaddiLifeForce – New Years 2017

  • DaddiLifeForce – Chinese New Year

  • Tuff Tray Ideas: Some great ideas for creative tuff trays

Writers Community

Write for DaddiLife


  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

© 2017 - DaddiLife. All Right Reserved. DaddiLife is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.


Back To Top
 

Loading Comments...