It's Much More Than Just Talent!

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Do you ever notice that achievement is not always in proportion to perceived potential?

Have you ever heard a person remark about someone else's "talent?" Do you ever wonder whether you can do anything to enhance your child's gifts?

I believe it is a crippling error to think that "talent" is fixed at birth. While I acknowledge that personality and aptitude can influence the course an individual takes, the truth is that other factors play significant roles as well -- perhaps more significant.

As you consider this topic in the context of home schooling, I think you will see that most of the elements of high achievement readily lend themselves to the home school setting.

My children are accomplished violinists. When someone says something about them being "talented," I am tempted to enlighten that person about the countless hours of hard work that have gone into their skills. Whether you're talking about great artists, writers, athletes, scholars, composers, musicians, craftsmen, speakers, leaders, mechanics, or any masters in their fields -- they would not have succeeded on raw talent alone.

Many of the examples mentioned below come from research examining the success of these elite masters, because they are more visible. But please understand that I'm not suggesting that everyone must aspire to fame and accolades. The stars would have no stage if it weren't for the very capable crew behind the scenes. Taylor Hudson and Theodore Roosevelt once returned home on the same train. There was a festive homecoming celebration for Roosevelt, who had been vacationing on a hunting trip in Africa. No one noticed Hudson, who had been in China leading souls to Christ. The world doesn't usually applaud the work that has the greatest value. One touchdown in a high school football game will get more cheers than a typical home school mom and dad will ever hear in their lifetimes.

Imagine a garden with rich soil. If the owner never plants seeds or tends that garden, it will produce only weeds. Likewise, a child will never master anything worthwhile if his abilities are not cultivated.

There have been many studies of people who are world-class in their fields. These studies have shown that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to reach that level of achievement; it takes the brain that long to process and assimilate the skills and information necessary to achieve true expertise.

One study of 120 internationally-recognized athletes, performers, artists, biochemists and mathematicians, showed that every person in the study had spent at least ten years of diligent effort, study or practice to realize their accomplishments. Olympic swimmers and the best concert pianists had taken fifteen years to master their skills.

Now, don't announce to your children that they have to spend thousands of hours working their fingers to the bone. Our strategies will be more subtle than that.

Few highly recognized people showed exceptional potential when they were beginners. Olympic figure skaters started out by falling down. They became winners because they had good instruction and mentoring; they were given time to develop their skills; they were provided with quality equipment; and they were supported and encouraged in their efforts, even when no progress was evident. Someone helped them to see value in what they were doing long before they hung any ribbons on the wall.

Not every area of endeavor has a goal of Olympics competition. A child might become a research scientist, but at the age of eight or nine, he just wants to finish today's math assignment so he can go out and play. Young children can't see more than a few minutes into the future. To explain to them how their efforts today will benefit them two years from now, or ten years from now, is like trying to explain to a fish the benefits of riding a bicycle.

In the early stages of maturity, the teacher is key. At the beginning level, it is important that the teacher simply nurture a love of the topic. Then it becomes easy to help the child develop skills and knowledge. Eventually they will benefit from interaction with others who will model persistence, resilience, good social skills, and how to deal with both failure and success.

In the case of most homeschoolers, the parent will be the teacher as well. If you have enrolled your child with another instructor, you will be more of a supporting supervisor. Whether you are cheering from the sidelines or doing the coaching, it is important to carefully consider your strategies for encouraging your child.