dentifying Talent DNA is your child starts with defining what you are looking for. It is evidence but evidence of what?
#1 The Standard of Exceptionality
What does your child do that reach the level of “Exceptional?” Exceptional means above, or better than average, or clearly superior. When you look at the definition of a Talent, can what your child does be judged in at least the top 25, 15, 10, 5 percent of all other participants or peers?
- What awards have they won?
- What superior grades have they been given?
- What speeds, measurements, weights, and/or awards have they achieved that are better than the majority of their peers?
- What activities do they excel at?
- What classes are they at the top of?
- What groups do they stand out in?
If you asked your child the simple question, “What are you exceptional at?” what would they say. It is vital that each child knows what they are exceptional at and also that they own it. Owning it means they are grateful for the Talent and that they realize every Talent is a gift they need to develop and learn ways to give it to others to make their lives bigger and better. So ask them,
1. What have you ever done that stands out as being exceptional—not good, but better than the vast majority of others?
2. What have you done that stands out as head and shoulders above what you know is just good, normal, and ordinary?
3. What have you done that, when you think about it, sends shivers down your spine? Can you still picture the performance, the acclaim, and the achievement? Can you still feel the exhilaration?
4. What have you done that you still dream about repeating? What happened that you were, and still are, excited about telling others? This standard of Evidence is important because you’ll know, when compared with other similar achievements, there is no doubt that what you did was exceptional!
Lastly, what about you as a parent? Where are you exceptional?
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