Identifying And Developing Children’s Talents

All people are good at something. But sometimes it’s hard for them to know what they excel at. In this regard, it is important that your children discover their strengths at an early age so that they can develop them properly. In other words, identifying and developing children’s talents is important. In this way they will be happy and fulfilled.

But do you know what we mean by ‘talent’? Over the years, many authors have tackled this concept and formulated multiple definitions of it. However, in this article we will focus on Howard Gardner’s perspective.

What is talent?

According to psychologist Howard Gardner, talent is:

Moreover, according to Gardner, human talent is developed based on eight areas or intelligences:

1. Verbal-linguistic. The ability to understand words and languages. People with this intelligence are usually good at reading, writing, storytelling and also remembering words and dates.
2. Visual-spatial. The ability to recognize and manipulate patterns, large spaces and smaller spaces.
3. Musical-rhythmic and harmonic. The ability to interpret, compose and learn musical patterns.
4. Physical-kinesthetic. The ability to use the body to solve problems or also to make products.
5. Logical-mathematical. The ability to analyze and solve problems using logic and conduct research in a scientific manner.
6. Naturalistic. The ability to distinguish, classify and use elements (objects, animals, plants and minerals) from the environment, whether urban or rural.
7. Intrapersonal. The ease of understanding yourself, knowing your own desires, fears and strengths. Also using this information to regulate your life.
8. interpersonal. The ability to understand others as well. Understanding the intentions, motivations and desires of others.

For example, some children find it easy to solve math problems, while others excel at verbal communication, sports, and social skills. However, they are all talented and likely to excel at something. Identifying and developing children’s talents through home and school education is very important.

Identifying and developing children’s talents

Note that talent arises from the combination of four factors:

• Genetic predisposition.
• Lived experiences in family, school and social environments.
• Interests and motivations.

• learning style.

So parents and teachers should keep this in mind and keep a close eye on children. They should therefore pay attention to the intellectual skills or skills that they demonstrate or practice more often and with better results.

Once children’s talents have been identified, they must be developed through work, stimulation and reinforcement, but without forgetting the fun.

Thus, children develop their talents while improving their skills, aptitudes, interests and also their motivations. Little by little it is also necessary that children become aware of their abilities, recognize and understand their own strengths, so that they can develop their own talents autonomously and independently, work hard and be consistent.