Recent research suggests that children believe if you can't impress Simon Cowell within thirty seconds then you're simply not talented. Clearly affected by hit TV shows such as X-Factor and Britain's Got Talent, 1,000 kids were polled by The Talent and Enterprise Taskforce, and the majority said that talent was being able to sing and dance. As a result many children did not recognise talent in themselves because they link talent with celebrities.
The poll was conducted ahead of Shine, a week long showcase of all the talents of all young people. Running from June 30th to July 4th, it is designed to widen perceptions of talent and help young people to recognise it within themselves. Thousands of schools have already signed up online at shineweek.co.uk to join in, while young people are using the site to upload their best work to the ‘Virtual Wall of Talent', showcasing the work of authors, animators, performers and many other talents.
Peter Jones, entrepreneur Dragon on BBC's Dragon's Den and supporter of Shine says, ‘Everyone has a hidden talent. I had a great passion for tennis when I was younger and I definitely believe that being able to follow my dreams back then has played a big part in giving me the confidence to be successful in business today.'
Although they didn't see them as talents, the poll revealed a number of things the kids thought they were ‘good at' or ‘proud of', with almost half (42 per cent) claiming to be competent chefs or comedians. Commenting on the findings, psychiatrist Sandra Scott said, ‘The poll shows what I have frequently encountered in my work with children, that they most value those skills that they think will help them become famous or get on TV. Young people display so many amazing passions and abilities. Shine allows us to see that wealth of talent.'
The Government has also recognised their responsibility in helping to nurture the hidden talents of children in the UK, as they are currently piloting their Find Your Talent programme in ten areas across the country. The £25 million campaign will give kids the chance to perform, learn music, write and embrace new forms of media too. Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said, ‘Enjoying and exploring culture and the arts is not a luxury, or an add-on, for young people. It matters in its own right, and can be a way of developing essential life skills like communication and creativity, and contribute to personal development and self-esteem.'
How to bring out your child's talent:
- Find out what your child enjoys and encourage them to pursue it
- Support your child's interest or hobby - take them to classes, provide resources for them, and generally give plenty of encouragement
- Give your child the opportunity to try new things such as musical instruments, drama classes, and sports. It may take trying a few different things before your child finds the thing that they really enjoy
- Encourage your child to be creative, and make the most out of every experience on offer
- Remember not to push your child, gentle encouragement, praise, and knowing they have your support is all your child needs to succeed!