“Now be original—just like everyone else.”

Enabling your child’s unique gifts without constraint (Part 2)

I've been reading The Element by Sir Ken Robinson, in which he relates this story of gift discovery:

In the mid 1930s, a little girl named Gillian Lynne was having problems in school--everything from late homework to fidgeting and disturbing others. Her concerned mother took her to a specialist to uncover her "learning disability." Gillian sat on her hands while the expert talked with her mom about all her problem behaviors. Finally, the specialist told Gillian to wait a moment while he spoke to her mother in another room.

As they left, he turned on the radio so Gillian could listen to some music. And when he and Gillian's mother were outside, he told her to watch what happened through the cracked door.

The moment they left, Gillian was on her feet dancing to the music.

The doctor turned to Gillian’s mother and explained,
"Mrs. Lynne, Gillian is not sick. She's a dancer."

Gillian went on to become a prima ballerina and world famous choreographer, most noted for her work in Cats and Phantom of the Opera (the world’s longest running Broadway musical). She has brought joy to countless people and is now a multi-millionaire. To think that many specialists today may have simply put her on medication and told her to calm down!

We must value the richness of our creative make-up and tap into the way we are created to think and live. Sadly, our uniqueness is often "educated out of us" in the contemporary classroom school structure. This does not have to be the reality for kids who enjoy the freedom homeschooling offers. Homeschooling parents have a unique opportunity to foster their children’s gifts and talents.
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Look for a post that helps you make the most of this opportunity…coming soon! Was your creativity fostered as a child? How do you do find your kids’ niche?

Sarita