Without doubt one of the most common questions I get asked all over the world at my "Sport Parenting" seminars is this one: How Do I Know that My Child is Talented?
The first thing is - real talent is harder to hide than it is to find. If your child really is talented, it will be revealed simply, easily and obviously.
Secondly - with kids under the age of 12 or 13, there's no such thing as talent.
The "super-star" kids who are aged 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 - most of the time are not "talented": they just happen to do the things they do better than the other kids because they're bigger or stronger or taller or have been exposed to more training.
Thirdly - physical talent is a terrible indicator of long term success.
Those "super-star" kids we've all seen - heard about - read about - very rarely make it to the top of elite sport or professional teams.
I've been around sport for a long time.
I've worked with great athletes, coaches and teams all over the world for the past 25 years.
I am at the stage where I consider physical "talent" in kids under the age of 12 as a curse - not an advantage.
The challenge is of course that every parent - wants the best for their child. That's normal and natural.
However - far too many parents see their child as "talented" - and they lack the capacity to be impartial and objective - for the simple reason that they love their child.
And similarly, too many parents want to see their kids achieve sporting success early - rejecting any possibility that "early rise = early fall".
The message to all sporting parents is this.
Forget physical talent. It is over-rated.
Focus on loving, accepting and valuing your child for who they are - not for they do.
There is nothing more wonderful or more miraculous to a child than the unconditional love of a parent.
Having a parent love, accept and value a child unconditionally for who they are - not for what they do - but for who they are - is the most important of all gifts a child can receive.
If your child goes to bed at night knowing with absolute certainty that they are loved, accepted and valued for no reason other than they are your child - you've given them the greatest thing you can ever give them.
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Wayne Goldsmith Coaching
wgcoaching.com
Waynes coaching, thinking and teaching have influenced some of the world’s leading athletes, coaches and teams . He is an inspirational speaker and presenter who is able to educate, entertain , challenge and engage audiences of all ages
With over 25 years experience working with some of the best coaches, athletes, teams and sporting organisations in the world, WG Coaching offers an unparalleled opportunity for you to become the coach you dream of becoming.
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Posterframe image:
Public domain photograph by Rachel Larue
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