We often talk about skill-driven education, passion-driven learning, personalized education, customized learning, child transformation etc; but, the true potential of any human being comes to the fore when they meet a passion that is driven by their natural aptitude. So, your childhood is a self-discovery & self-awareness journey that should start by knowing your inner world or your biological endowment OR What you inherited.
Aptitudes are simply natural talents or natural intelligence that you are born with; some aptitudes are demonstrated way early in your childhood, based on the ecosystem you are born into; others may stay hidden because the opportunity to awaken them never arises. You would’ve probably come across certain things that come easily to you and with some it doesn’t. It’s the same for everyone, there are activities you may be naturally good at and few we struggle with. Two kids from the same family could have different sets of aptitudes too.
One should also beware of the fact that just because you have a better colour sense or visual sense; doesn’t mean the only career journey you could opt for is designing. Always remember there are many paths to take, even though the presence of a mentor or guide will always help accelerate it.
How to Identify & What Path to Take?
There are a huge number of commercial aptitude tests that you can register with today, but most of these are pencil and paper or electronic tests; which is a problem too. Because none of these tests could direct you; if your potential lies in wood carving or say playing an instrument. Still, the aptitude test approach is not bad either and could be a starter; but we will have to be open to assessing ourselves and hence need to look out for more connected experiences that would drive us to a correct path someday.
The earlier we become aware of our strengths the better our decisions could get.
Also, our natural traits could lead us to many paths or growth journeys; that’s because we may have many aptitudes and our talents & interests could mature over time. Many successful people have found their true potential through indirect routes. My understanding is we don’t see what we’re capable of, because we don’t see the possibilities ahead of us. We get blinded by external motivations and so don’t believe that we can carve new ways also sometimes our first encounter with an aptitude says for ex: Music goes the wrong way.
There could be many reasons why children may not realize their aptitudes early; a few important
ones being the child’s thinking or learning style, because it’s not part of their education
system, or because of low self-esteem; which triggers a fear of failure.
A few questions you could ask yourself as a parent:
- What do you think your child is good at?
- Did you ever notice that your child has a flair for doing something or you have noticed
any of their talents? - Do you invest time in developing them?
- Are there any skills, given an opportunity you would like to start developing in them?
- Did you ever try using a tool that could store and connect your child’s actions and signals; to give you patterns that would help see with clarity, their innate traits?
Acquired Skills or Abilities
A typical self-discovery journey for a child, if planned; should look like below: –
Unfolding your child natural intelligence by acquiring skills to express their innate abilities and exploring transformation paths to help them realize one or more passions. This involves finding a path where their natural aptitude complements or meets their passion, thereby indirectly highlighting their true potential.
So, your childhood should start with activities that would unfold your natural compass and from there through a guided journey you can acquire skills or abilities that would complement the discovery of your passion.
Importance of Joining a Tribe or Community
Our society is such that we have a tendency to typecast based on gender, age, appearance, ethnicity, occupation, etc. This tendency to typecast works as a reason for suppressing the realization of a particular aptitude in a child, especially if it is not in line with their cultural fabric. So, such kids need to look outside their cluster to gain confidence. One of the best ways is to join a tribe or community that relates your innate skill as their binding fabric.
You can identify, groom, and flourish by being part of a group that values your interests and your natural skills. Even though it was difficult to achieve this earlier, the advent of technology has made this possible through the internet and social media.
It All Depends on Capitalization:
Psychologist James Flynn gave us a valuable insight; “what makes a legendary performer so good isn’t the amount of natural intelligence they are born into but the extent of that potential they actualize and capitalize”. Most of the finest sports stars had less innate skills than their competition; so, it’s the commitment and dedication your child would put in to capitalize on their aptitude that will define their success.
To conclude; the finest steel is put through the hottest fire. So, encourage your kids to look for that natural compass they are born with and then capitalize on it, irrespective of whatever odds to produce mastery and world-class icons out of them.