It is important to celebrate your child or teen’s accomplishments on a regular basis. It may be helpful to sit down with her to make a list of ways she has used her talents in the past. Make a poster of accomplishments or a “wall of fame”: Find a prominent place to display your child’s accomplishments, trophies, and awards.
Identify the many ways your child has contributes to others around him. What does he do that is helpful around the house? How does he help others?
Some Points to Remember:
- Praise for talents must be genuine, specific, and truly recognizable. Its better to say, “Great job blocking that field goal!” instead of just saying, “Great game!”
- Making time for your child to demonstrate his or her strengths is just as important as making time to address his or her weaknesses.
- Emphasizing her talents enables your child to learn to use her skills to help overcome her challenges.
Once your child understands that she is smart, she has a number of talents, and her learning problems can be addressed, then… she will start to accept herself!
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(c) 2009-2014, Monte W. Davenport, Ph.D.
Excerpt from LD Kids Can! (c) 1993, Monte W. Davenport, Ph.D.
