What Cultivates Children To Be Gifted Kids?
Observing a small child’s capabilities and talents is always an exciting part for most parents. Many of the limitations that seemed absolute which parents thought in the past is seemingly passable. Gifted kids have been a joy to their parents although there were misconceptions that they were rare. The more advanced society has become, the more parents get to study about children which lead to more discovery that the limitations are caused by beliefs but not the children.
The potential of “giftedness” or having a great level of intellectual development often begins at a child’s early life. Since the early 1970s, there have been studies that consistently proved how much intellectual development has been the result of an interaction between a child’s genetics and appropriate surroundings wherein the child grows.
Previously, the notion of gifted kids has been believed to be rare and not a commonality. Kids with high intelligence quotient or highly talented kids in other areas were seen as a special case. However, more studies have proven that even though not every child is born gifted, there is still potential to have the “giftedness” in one’s self. These gifts can be cultivated through various methods. Talent development expert Opher Brayer developed learning games for children that helps to develop the innovative and creative side of a child. These gifts can be cultivated by empowering the innovator spirit in a kid by using games as a tool for learning.
All children have great potential but only a few have the opportunities to develop their talents, gifts, and uniqueness in a sound environment that can fully realize their abilities. Studies made on neuroscience, linguistics, psychology, and other early learning facets are able to help parents to create a responsive environment to their children that will aid to develop their fullest potential.
The Concept of Rare Gifted Kids Is Changing
Being a gifted kid is no longer becoming a stigma of rarity. In the past, being gifted is seen as a genetically rooted label for high levels of intelligence. This concept indicated that accelerated and advanced functional development in a child’s brain allows them to be more effective and efficient. Older ideas of intelligence and giftedness were limited to rational and analytical thinking. However, there is a shift in knowing that being gifted is a broader concept that can be expressed through performing arts, creative behavior, invention, leadership, problem-solving, and many other human talents.
High intelligence can be expressed through cognitive, abstract, or specific abilities. Cognitive abilities can be expressed in conceptualizing or generalizing knowledge. Abstract capabilities are related to symbolic thinking with expressing principles and ideas. Specific abilities can be related to music, art, writing, and a myriad of other talents. These abilities are results by having interactions for both the inherited and acquired characteristics. The interaction with those characteristics often circumscribes all the emotional, mental, and physical characteristics of a person. The fact is every reality is unique to each individual.
Nature vs. Nurture
Having an endless interaction between the genetic framework and the child’s environment builds the intelligence and the perception of what reality can be. The learning process starts at very early age.
Genes taken from parents are not a limit for a person’s life although it may provide an outline for the possibilities a person may have in life. A child’s genetic makeup has an effect on their capabilities. Nonetheless, the environment a child grows it will provide the actual selection of their learned abilities.
Having an environmental interaction with a child’s genetic program may happen either planned or by chance. Structuring a child’s environment can change a child biologically and neurologically. Without having opportunities to nurture a child’s innate capabilities, the ability or talent can be lost. Intelligence development must have both nature and nurture. To help a child reach his or her full potential, nature and nurture must be combined as one cannot function without the other.
Why is parenting essential?
The environment in a family has long-term effects on a child. A family helps create the expectations and attitudes that open the door for higher levels of development. Some of the most essential parenting components are about articulating a parent’s aspirations and expectations when it comes to achievement. It is important to develop close family ties while having strategies that will allow more talent growth in children.
