Proprietress tasks parents on developing children’s potentials

By Priscilla Osaje

 

Mrs Blessing Bernard,  the proprietress, Emerging Potential Motoressi Academy, has urged parents across the country to spearhead the effective development of their children’s potentials to make them better citizens.

Bernard, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New Nyanya Nasarawa State on Monday, said such a development would help children to contribute their quarter to national development when they grow up.

According to her, home is the first school for every child, where the child learns how to crawl, walk, talk and getting to know people.

She stressed that children were filled with endless possibilities, adding that it was up to the parents to harness and help the child develop the talents or skills God has bestowed on him or her.

“A better way of bringing out the potentials in a children is to first of all make him or her your close friend; share in his or her ideas, worries and plans.

“Don’t scold a child when you see her or him doing something that seems to be abnormal to you, observe the child   and see what you can figure out from those things you call abnormality if necessary.

“As a parent, you can expose you children to activities that will help them explore their God-given talents, interest, skills and passion,” she said.

She further explained that Parents could enroll their children in special classes, which they seem to be gifted and have passion for because this would help to expose them.

“Children can also be encouraged to participate in sporting activities of their passion; these will help develop their minds, endurance, strength and social skills.

“However, it is good to engage them at an early age like six to eight years, so that by the time they get to nine years, they would have been exposed to a certain level,’’ she added.

She said aside from school books, parents should also buy books of interest for their children, for instance those of current affairs, public speaking and others.

“It is good for a child to learn how to play musical instrument to stimulate the left and right hemisphere of their brain.

“If your child possesses an artistic skill, you can help nurture the talent by having them attend lessons on drawing, sketching, painting and craft making.

“For children who are too inquisitive, send them to adventure camp where they can learn survival skills and know more about nature and the environment.

Exposing your children to science and technology may have its negative side, but they can learn how to develop application; they may also learn electrical engineering, movie making, editing and graphic,’’ she said.

 

(NAN)