You can help your child discover their talent themes with the online Clifton Youth StrengthsExplorer. In the Clifton Youth StrengthsExplorer, there are in total 10 emerging talent themes. Today, we cover the talent theme of COMPETING.
Children with the COMPETING talent theme see every day as a game. They play it and strive at winning in what they want do. And when they do win, they feel a great sense of satisfaction and joy.
They compete frequently with others and with themselves. Sometimes, the people that they are competing against are not even aware. But in the minds of children with the COMPETING talent theme, they are trying to do it better and faster than them.
If they are interested and value certain things or activities, they will strive to be the best in those areas. It does not matter if those things or activities are not important to others. As long as they want it, they will strive to be the best.
Self motivation is natural in the push to be the first or the best. So they do work hard and diligently to get to the top. Other children will look to them for motivation.
And when they lose or fail, they do get angry or disappointed and sometimes even cry.
How Do Children With COMPETING Theme Look Like?
Does any of the following words describe your child that has the COMPETING talent theme: –
- Winner
- Champion
- Strive
- Resilient
- Self-motivated
- Focused
- Driven
- Competitive
- Aspiring
- Compare-er
- Self-comparison
3 Things Parents Can Do To Help Their Children With The COMPETING Talent Theme
Here are 3 things that you can do: –
- Every day is a game for these children. Crossing the finishing line and claiming the prize is something that is innate in them. So make studying a game – beat the clock, finish it faster than others, present their learning in the quickest way, etc.
- Help them compete against themselves by setting targets that they can achieve – spell 10 words every week, read 3 pages of a story book every day, or walk 5000 steps every day, learn one new word each week, etc. You can help them in doing this by teaching them or being an accountability for their commitment to take on the challenge. And not all things need to be work – balance on one leg for 15 seconds, throw paper balls into the basket, etc
- Help them get better in what they do. And you could do this by letting them play with people who are better than them in some activities. Help them learn why others are better and how they can improve. Comparison is something that is innate with these children. Help them to learn from others.
Experiment, Cherish And Enjoy
So there! I hope the tips above would have been useful in helping your child.
The idea for you as a parent or educator is to create the environment of “flourishment” for your children.
Knowing the talent theme of your children gives you the clues to how you can flourish them by helping them recognize their talent themes and using them every day. Use this activity book to quickly and simply kick things into motion. Experiment with different approaches and scenarios and enjoy seeing your child come alive through their talent themes.
Remember: Every child is different and even if they have the same themes, their responses can be distinctly different in the same scenario.
Enjoy the time spent with your child in discovering and learning about their talents and strengths. Take it slow and enjoy the process.
If you want your child to be great in life, help them to know and resonate with the greatness of their unique talents that are already in them. Trust me. It is worth it!
If you are interested to find out more about our upcoming StrengthsExplorer Workshop, do register your interest with us in the form below.
Kim Pong is the CEO and Founder of StrengthsAsia, Creator of the REFRAME MasterClass and the first 20 Gallup Certified Strengths Coaches in the world. He is based in Singapore and works with organizations in Asia in creating an engaged workplace culture for leaders, managers and executives to thrive.