A sundial in the shade?

Opinion

Do you ever doubt yourself? Do you ever doubt that there is something special and unique in you that can be used to achieve something in your life that will have impact on the lives of others? What is that unique God-given talent that you possess?

These are questions that often plague us as adults but, occasionally, caught in the midst of the responsibility free and happy lives that children lead, we forget that children are like us. Children compare themselves against others and face real doubts about their gifts and talents.

Helping children tap into their passions and their talents is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. It helps them connect to the essence of whom they are designed to be. There is no greater self-esteem booster than to know who you are, and be passionate about what you have to offer the world.

At Wandsworth Prep, we see it as our duty to nurture and celebrate individual talents, seeking every opportunity to ignite in each child the desire and hunger to learn. What we also recognise is that whether or not one discovers his or her talents and passions can partly be a matter of opportunity. If one has never been sailing, or picked up an instrument, or tried to write fiction, how would it be possible to identify a talent in these areas?

Every evening, at our after school clubs, I see children in their element, whether it be constructing, dancing, sewing or coding. Some children, and indeed adults, love doing things they do not necessarily feel they are good at and, conversely, many are good at things they do not enjoy. To be in one’s element, however, requires passion and it is passion that is the driver of achievement in all fields. A strong passion allied with even a moderate talent, will generally get you further in life than a strong talent with little enthusiasm.