Every child has something special hidden deep within them. Traditional education doesn't necessarily bring these skills to the surface. It focuses on going to college, getting a degree, and getting a job. Creative has very little place in traditional education. Systems like the Montessori system focus on allowing each child to grow. The philosophy revolves around the assumption that everyone has something to offer the world. More info at http://naudainacademy.com/Blog/Entry/nurturing-your-childs-true-potentials
1. Nurturing Your Child's True Potentials
Every child has something special hidden deep within them. Traditional education doesn't necessarily
bring these skills to the surface. It focuses on going to college, getting a degree, and getting a job.
Creative has very little place in traditional education. Systems like the Montessori system focus on
allowing each child to grow. The philosophy revolves around the assumption that everyone has
something to offer the world.
It's why the curriculum broadens as they get older. It never remains narrow and restricted. The
children's curiosity to learn is used extremely well by throwing more challenges at them. Parents find it
easy to believe they know what's best for their children. They don't. They need to step back and take a
more standoffish approach to development of their children. The concept of, ‘I know what is best for my
child' does not work. Remember professionals have dealt with 100s of children and are trained to
recognize the child's capabilities.
What's Their Skill?
The trick is, knowing what they're good at. At a very
early age they won't know what they're good at. To
them coloring is coloring and playing in the sand pit
is just that. Parents should observe their children
from a distance, both in public and both in private.
What do they enjoy doing? Do they like water, do
they like crayons, do they dance or tap to music, do
that chatter a lot? All these are inborn capabilities and must be encouraged. As much as it is important
to encourage a child, it is equally important that you don't push a child. If a child does not like water,
why push the child to learn swimming?
At an early age it's only possible to get a rough idea. If they enjoy painting and drawing they probably
have an artistic mind. If they're always kicking balls and running around they might have a natural gift
for athletics.
Later on it's possible to start spotting these activities. From here, nurture their skills.
Let Them Make Mistakes
Allow children to take responsibility for their actions. Tell them it's up to them to make sure they get up
in the morning. Parents who hold their children's hands might think they're protecting them. They're
not. They're harming their development by preventing them from taking any risks. To let them take
risks, parents must withhold their natural urges to step in. Only through mistakes can someone learn a
new skill and a new life lesson.
2. Show Them They Are Special
Children must have confidence if they're to release their true potentials. Tell them they're fantastic and
alert them to the fact they're special. The ego construct in everyone kicks in. They want to show how
talented they are. They love praise. It's setting them up for a fall. And every child will fall. It's necessary
to fall down so they can get back up as stronger humans.
It sounds horrible, but you want them to fail. If a child doesn't fail they haven't graduated to the next
stage of being human.
Indulge them in the Summer
Education shouldn't stop in summer. Send them away to a summer camp where they can do what they
love. Learning doesn't need to take place in a classroom with a textbook. Every activity they participate
in is a new experience for them. Experience helps children grow and become stronger versions of
themselves.
Send them away and tell them to enjoy themselves. During these periods, children become more
independent. Instead of being introverts they express their creativity and skill to other children and
adults. It helps them collaborate with others and gain from interacting with them. It's easy to notice the
difference once they return.