Raising Successful Children - 50 Ways to Bring Out Your Child's Best
By Thomas Armstrong (celebrated educationist, psychologist & author)
As an anonymous observer once said: "All children are gifted, some just open
their packages later than others. "You can play a crucial role in awakening
latent talents or developing current strengths through experiences you give
your child at home. Here are 50 ways for you to bring out your child's
best, regardless of how his gifts are packaged:
1. Let your child discover her own interests. Pay attention the activities
she chooses. This free-time play can say a lot about where her gifts lie.
2. Expose your child to a broad spectrum of experiences. They may
activate latent talents. Don't assume that he isn't gifted in an area
because he hasn't shown an interest.
3. Give your child permission to make mistakes. If she has to do things
perfectly, she'll never take the risks necessary to discover and develop a
gift.
4. Ask questions. Help your child open up to he wonders of the world by
asking intriguing questions: Why is the sky blue? Find the answers
together.
5. Plan special family projects. Shared creativity can awaken and develop
new talents.
6. Don't pressure your child to learn. If children are sent to special
lessons every day in the hope of developing their gifts, they may become too
stressed or exhausted to shine. Encourage, but don't push.
7. Have high expectations. But make them realistic.
8. Share your work life. Expose your child to images of success by taking
him to work. Let him see you engaged in meaningful activities and allow him
to become involved.
9. Provide a sensory-rich environment. Have materials around the home that
will stimulate the senses: finger paints, percussion instruments, and
puppets.
10. Keep your own passion for learning alive. Your child will be influenced
by your example.
11. Don't limit your child with labels. They may saddle her with a
reputation that doesn't match her inner gifts.
12. Play games together as a family.
13. Have a regular family time for reading, listening to music, talking.
14. Have reference materials available to give your child access to the
world.
15. Allow your child to participate in community activities that interest
her.
16. Use humor, jokes, silly stories to encourage creativity.
17. Don't criticize or judge the things your child does. He may give up on
his talents if he feels evaluated.
18. Play with your child to show your own sense of playfulness.
19. Share your successes as a family. Talk about good things that happened
during the day to enhance self-esteem.
20. Provide your child with access to a home, school or public library
computer.
21. Listen to your child. The things he cares about most may provide clues
to his special talents.
22. Give your child a special space at home to be creative.
23. Praise your child's sense of responsibility at home when she completes
assigned chores.
24. Visit new places as a family.
25. Give your child open-ended playthings. Toys like blocks and puppets
encourage imaginative play.
26. Give your child unstructured time to simply daydream and wonder.
27. Share inspirational stories of people who succeeded in life.
28. Don't bribe your child with rewards. Using incentives to get children
to perform sends a message that learning is not rewarding in its own right
29. Suggest that your child join peer groups that focus on her gifts.
30. Discuss the news to spark interests.
31. Discourage gender bias. Expose your child to both feminine and
masculine toys and activities.
32. Avoid comparing your child to others. Help your child compare himself
to his own past performance.
33. Be an authoritative parent.
34. Use community events and institutions to activate interests. Take trips
to the library, museums, concerts, plays.
35. Give presents that nourish your child's strengths.
36. Encourage your child to think about her future. Support her visions
without directing her into any specific field.
37. Introduce your child to interesting and capable people.
38. Think of your home as a learning place. The kitchen is great for
teaching math and science through cooking.
39. Share feelings. A child's gifts can be stifled by repressed emotions.
40. Encourage your child to read.
41. Honor your child's creations.
42. Do things with your child in his areas of interest.
43. Teach your child to trust her intuition and believe in her capabilities.
44. Give your child choices. It builds willpower and fuels initiative.
45. Show your child how to use books to further an interest. For example,
"how to" books for the "hands-on" learner.
46. Set aside an area of the house for displaying creations and awards.
47. Encourage your child to tackle areas that are difficult for him. Help
him learn to confront any limitations.
48. Be a liaison between your child's special talents and the real world.
Help her find outlets for her talents.
49. Introduce children's literature that honors and develops gifts. Books
like the Little Engine That could encourage a "can do" attitude.
50. Accept your child as he or she is. (added emphasis by geniekids)
By Ratnesh & Aditi Mathur
For www.geniekids.com
If you need one to one guidance on anything related to your child(ren) - we offer the same through:
1) Email or chat or voice services like skype. This costs you Rs800/- - one time fee - and unlimited sessions/ emails related to your problems for a maximum period of six months.
2) If you are in
For further details on the same, including payment options - please email to info@geniekids.com with subject as "one-to-one"
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