Here are a few approaches to help you figure out how your child concentrates, processes information and applies what is learned. The main motivation is to provide you with foundation for your efforts to bring out the best in your child.

CHARACTERISTICS

Modern researches have identified a main set of characteristics that allow people to become creatively productive in their activities: ability, creativity, and motivation.

These characteristics are behind most significant achievements in practically every field of human endeavor- science, humanities, arts, sports, architecture, medicine, technology, and so forth.

These characteristics are not inborn traits that are either present or absent in an individual throughout his or her life. They are capable of being developed over time.

ABILITY

A young child’s ability is multifarious: understanding, memory, vocabulary, reasoning, capacity for drawing conclusions and making inferences.

Many people rely purely on tests to determine a child’s natural aptitude. This is very lacking. There is substantial and valid evidence to support the claim that most, perhaps all of children’s ability can be developed through deliberate and appropriate instruction. It is an important possibility that test results only show a child’s interests in a particular field, but not necessarily in other fields.

We should be concerned with different ways in which your child may manifest strengths. DON’T rely only on IQ tests!

Finally, giftedness is not limited to the one-in-a-million genius who has that statistically rare IQ score. Studies reveal that many competent people of great accomplishments do not necessarily have high IQs. Ability is relevant but it is not the only consideration.

CREATIVITY

Creativity is the capacity to come up with new ideas, to imagine new areas of possibilities and combinations, the knack to think out-of-the box in problem solving, and to take the risk of trying “new” things never been done before.

Creativity could be comprehended as the use of knowledge and information in new ways. Creativity is the very essence or foundation for all problem-solving and decision-making skills.

MOTIVATION

Parents aren’t surprised to hear that children often do better work on activities, assignments or projects that are closely allied to their interests than on something far a field that they are being made to do.

The level of self-motivation of a child (or even adult) has a strong bearing on concentration given to working on a task or activity, seeing it through to completion, and striving for the best possible result.

INTERESTS

Aside from watching for ability, creativity, and motivation, you should likewise be aware of your child’s sustained interests, those that remain relevant over the course of months or years. Children can be curious about everything and anything. It is not unusual for their fancies to shift regularly.

When trying to discover your child’s sustained interests, try these few techniques:

• Observe daily. Every day presents countless new opportunities and experiences.
• Be more active in school meetings. Learn more about what the teachers have observed and explore new resources to help students develop their special interests.
• Create opportunities at home. Build a den or set up a creative room where your child can be in his or her best creative element.

PARENTAL WORD

We know that every child cannot grow up to be an Einstein, an Edison, or a Mozart. Not everyone is gifted at that level, but anyone might just be.

Edison was thrown out of public school and described as mentally addled. Einstein had difficulties in school, especially with Math. The richest man in the world. Bill Gates, was a dropout of Harvard.

Therefore, don’t ask “Is my child gifted or talented?” or “How gifted is my child?” Rather ask “How is my child gifted?”

As a parent, you can do millions of things to spot your child’s interests and talents and to encourage your child in achieving his or her fullest potential.

Offer your children exciting new opportunities to be best learners, the most creative persons, and the most gifted individuals they can be.

By the way, my own parents gave me those opportunities, despite being a school kick-out myself. But that’s another story to tell.

In continuing pursuit to quality education through the realization of our student’s individuality, we are again inviting all concerned parents, guardians, teachers, school officials, researchers, lawmakers and policy-makers, government and private educational institutions to another wonderful week-long event on the City of Pines this come July 25-29, 2010. Aptly dubbed, “One Nation Learning- National Educating for Life Conference”, the conference aims to connect the dots between education and industry needs- a growing concern for every school in the country.

For more details, text Smart (0909-1234-247), Globe (0906-9341-322), Sun (0932-6039-931) or email onenationlearning@gmail.com.

(The author is president of the Center for Learning and Teaching Styles, an affiliate of the International Learning Styles Network, based at St. John’s University in New York. He is a graduate of the AIM Masters in Development management and of the Harvard Graduate School for Professional Educators. He is the author of the following books: Cooking Up A Creative Genius; The HI CLASS Teacher, Breakthrough Ideas in Education; and Using Passion and Laughter in Your Presentations. He can be reached at htenedero@yahoo.com.)