The adult world demands that people specialize and plan logically. Exploration and practice are often thought of as the domain of childhood, while adults are thought to need to be concrete and prepared. This is an unfortunate situation for adults because exploration and practice need to be life-long values and activities. However, many parents try to develop their children's talents through an adult lens of specializing early and mastering things immediately.

One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is the option to explore different activities, subjects, sports, hobbies, people, and art. As they mature, they will make their own decisions about where and how to specialize their unique talents and gifts. You may, at times, need to assure that they do make decisions and apply themselves, but their time exploring will help everyone learn what are the most natural and rewarding abilities.

Many parents feel pressured to have their children specialize early at ages in which variety is more important. There are some children who have talents and self-motivation that require specializing at a young age. However, you need to be certain that the decision to specialize is in the best interest of your child's long-term development as a person. Do not base the decision on an expert who wants to make money or a reputation from training your child or on the desire for scholarships. Base it on what your child needs developmentally as a person today to help him or her mature into a self-motivated and self-reliant adult.


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