TV host and character actor Dimples Romana knows a thing or two about exceptionally talented children. A mother to a beautiful daughter named Cal, she also hosted a TV reality program that helped develop talented kids—Promil Preschool’s “i-Shine Talent Camp.”
“I watched hundreds of kids audition and participate, and it made me realize that there are a lot, and I mean a lot, of talented kids out there,” she says. “It’s just a matter of encouraging and tapping into their inherent talents.”
However, she reminds parents not to pressure their children too much. Here are a few tried-and-tested tips straight from her on developing the talents of your kids and nurturing them to excellence.
1. Take a cue from your child. Romana says that sometimes it may actually be better to take the cue from your child himself and provide opportunities for your kids to work on things that they’re good at.
2. Introduce your children to new things and experiences. Remember: your children can only be interested in what they are aware of. Your daughter may be an opera singer or a synth player in the making; but because she’s not exposed to these things, that talent may just remain hidden forever. Make the effort to introduce your child to as many different experiences as possible—take him ice-skating one weekend, then maybe to a basketball game or an art show the next.
Not only are you creating fun bonding moments, you’re also taking the chance to discover what he’s really good at.
3. Nourish talents in your own home. Once you’ve gotten a lock on what your child can excel in, make sure that his talent can flourish in one of the most important places in the world: your home.
If he’s into the arts, then having a steady supply of sketchpads and paint and colors at home is a good idea. If music or singing is more his thing, then having DVD concerts of his favorite singers or playing music all over the house will be something that he’ll appreciate.
4. Give him access to a balanced diet. According to Michelle Edelbaum, digital editor of EatingWell.com, there’s more to gain from having a balanced diet than just a healthy diet. Eating right can help even out your children’s moods, sharpen their minds and stabilize their energy. Aside from the requisite go, grow and glow food, Romana stresses the importance of milk, especially in children’s formative years.
“Promil Preschool has always been my top choice ever since, so Cal can get the essential nutrients that she needs to help nurture her talents,” she says.
5. Be sensitive and nurturing. “Yes, their talents are special; but they need reassurance that they are special, regardless of whether they win the Quiz Bee or get into the next round of the talent competition,” Romana says. “This is especially important for talented children; because parents often feel it is important for those abilities to be maximized; often regardless of their children’s feelings.”