subject: Teaching Your Child To Excel [print this page] Some children have an innate motivation to succeed at everything they do, while others need more of a push to gain momentum to excel. Unfortunately, this has led to a wide stereotype that "only the smart kids are motivated" and a mistaken mix-up with children's abilities and strengths. Our society has come to value children who are skilled either in the sports arena or in the classroom, and there is little middle ground.
But you can teach your son or daughter to excel even if the drive to do so doesn't appear to come naturally. Here's how.
First off, look for their talent everywhere and in everything. "Talent" has become mislabeled as an obvious ability--to be able to make touchdowns or speak well in front of a crowd. But there are also less obvious talents that can lead to something great. Showing empathy or listening well or having a good eye behind the camera are equally valuable as getting a high GPA or scoring a winning goal.
Don't be afraid to recognize your child's weaknesses--doing so can help you work with him or her to find a way around them.
For example, I hated the idea of competitive sports. Competition always inspired anxiety in me, but my mother enrolled me in badminton camp, which taught me the discipline and excellence that goes into playing team sports. I was able to gain a closer bond with some of my classmates and had a ton of fun on top of it all. The hard work inspired a love of fitness, too.
I've known of Atlanta basketball camps that not only do all of the above for attendees, they also inspire the confidence to actually try out for the school team. Even if the students didn't make the team, they felt like they gave it their best shot and had much more fun.
Showing your support is absolutely crucial. Your child needs to know you're his or her biggest fan and that you'll be there, win or lose, succeed or fail. When I finally auditioned for a school play my senior year of high school (anxiety had struck again in previous years) and landed the role I wanted, my parents were there every night of the show and showered me with bouquets.
I felt uplifted by their pride in me, and it made me want to keep pursuing these activities, despite my qualms. Your child may not come out and say how much it means to them, but they will remember it, probably for the rest of their lives.
