Many parents compare their kids to others, wondering why they aren’t thriving in specific areas. So, they feel less confident about their parenting abilities and put themselves under increasing pressure to “get their parenting right.” They also adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to raising their kids–using generalized methods and hoping their kids will turn out like other kids they admire.
The truth, however, is that no two kids are the same. All children have different strengths, vulnerabilities, and interests. Every child has a unique ability–something that no one else has. So, rather than compare one kid with another, it’s essential for parents to look out for their child’s uniqueness, understand what makes them different and treat them accordingly.
This article discusses areas where your child may be different from others and how to help your kids embrace their unique abilities.
Let’s begin.
What different abilities do kids share?
Children grow and develop in their unique, distinct ways. They also have different abilities in various areas. Let’s examine the aspects kids are likely to have different abilities below: 1. Development
Every kid reaches their developmental milestone at their pace. Whether it’s physical, social, emotional, or cognitive, not all children are going to hit these milestones at the same time.
While some will learn how to express themselves and empathize with others early, it will take others more time. However, this doesn’t mean one child is more intelligent than the other; it simply showcases the differences in their abilities. 2. Personalities
Personalities significantly affect your child’s ability, reactions to situations, and behavior towards people. Their tolerance levels, response to change, and attitude toward specific activities are all borne out of their unique personalities.
So, while a kid may be enthusiastic about trying new things, others may be laid-back and content with where they are. Personality differences are also why some kids find it easy to lead a team, while others observe and support in all possible ways.
Some kids have a bubbling attitude, while others are more relaxed and laid-back. These diverse personalities will influence their abilities in other aspects of their lives, including how they relate with people, react to events, and what they are interested in and passionate about. 3. Strengths
Kids possess different strengths. While some are easily noticed, such as painting, or sports skills, others require proper observation to discover, including listening and teamwork skills.
Strengths come in different categories: character, social, language, literacy, etc. A kid may have more of these strengths and less of others, and while it’s okay to help them improve in these areas, it’s critical not to do so based on the comparison.4. Learning styles
Every kid learns in distinct ways, so learning shouldn’t be about fitting the child into a structure but designing a curriculum that suits a child’s learning abilities. For example, while a child may be a visual learner, others may be auditory or kinaesthetic learners.
Also, some kids can understand concepts quickly, while others learn at a slower pace. However, this doesn’t mean that kids who learn faster are brighter; it only depicts that children learn at different speeds, and some learning styles are more suitable for others.
How to help your kids embrace their abilities
The best way to instill confidence in your kid and help them live to their maximum potential isn’t by comparing them to others. It is by telling them they are different and allowing them to discover and celebrate their unique abilities. Below are ways you can: 1. Provide opportunities to explore their interests, talents, and strengths
Let your child choose the activities they are interested in. Give them breaks and encourage them to try the things they love.
Also, avoid choosing extracurricular activities based on your other kids’ participation. Ask them what they want to do and allow them to choose according to their interests and passions.2. Avoid comparison
Comparison prevents you from appreciating your kids’ unique abilities and lowers self-esteem. So, don’t criticize them for their weaknesses or compare them to the kids who may be doing better in areas your kid are lacking. While your intention for doing this may motivate them to do better, it may leave them second-guessing themselves and thinking they are not good enough.
Instead, identify their strengths, commend your kids for possessing them, and note their weaknesses in positive, uplifting ways. 3. Create a positive environment for them to thrive
Your child is more likely to be the best version of themselves when you build a healthy environment for them. This means giving positive affirmations and providing encouragement and support for them to be themselves. It also includes adopting a personalized approach to parenting and understanding your child’s unique talents and tailoring your approach to them.
Identify your kid’s uniqueness with Explico
Every child possesses a unique pace, personality, and learning abilities. Understanding this as a parent helps you to support your child’s development across different aspects of their lives, including academics, social behavior, passion, interests, and career choice.
At Explico, we understand that every child possesses unique strengths and abilities, and the earlier they identify their unique potential, the better they can succeed academically and in all areas of their lives. This is why our online learning and teaching platform provides assessment-based learning that helps them identify, and analyze their strengths and weaknesses to know how they stand out. Enroll your child on our platform today for a learning process that is structured to their unique needs.
