Talent: Our topic in April

Is every child gifted? And how exactly can parents encourage these talents without putting too much pressure on them?

Editor-in-chief Nik Niethammer introduces you to the focus on «Giftedness» and other topics in the April issue in our cover film. The new magazine will be published on Thursday, 1 April 2021. You can also order the magazine online.

In an interview with Florina Schwander via Zoom, editor-in-chief Nik Niethammer reveals, among other things, why he would have been happy if his parents had encouraged a particular talent more.

Dear reader
My work at the Swiss parents' magazine Fritz+Fränzi has the wonderful side effect that I am constantly learning new things. Have you heard of the term «problem-solving talent»? I didn't. «Solution giftedness is the genetic and early childhood potential of every person to be able to solve problems,» says Austrian geneticist Markus Hengstschläger in an interview. In order for this talent to be translated into performance, i.e. solving a problem, knowledge acquisition and practice are required. «A talent for solving problems must be encouraged,» says Hengstschläger. «This is the only way to develop it.»
This brings us to the central question on the subject of giftedness: How do I find out whether my child has a special talent? Developmental psychologist Letizia Gauck recommends that parents should ask their child when they feel particularly good because they really like doing something. «This could be baking a cake or writing a poem.» This creates a portfolio of interests and skills that reflects the child's uniqueness.
A wide range of opportunities is needed to discover and promote talents and gifts. Children need to be allowed to try out lots of things in order to develop their motivation and curiosity. Parents should accompany them lovingly and support them in what makes them happy. For example, I might not be writing these lines if my parents had interpreted my respectable cycling skills as something like this when I was six: This boy has talent. He'll be a professional cyclist one day! Although they accompanied me lovingly as I practised my hobby, my mother's concern that I might fall and hurt myself was omnipresent. And I had to buy my first racing bike from my own pocket money when I was 15. A bit late for the big sporting career. Today, with the certainty of being able to pursue the most beautiful profession in the world (apart from professional cycling), I am reconciled with the supposed lack of parental encouragement: cycling has remained my great passion. I leave racing to the professionals!

«I don't have any particular talent, I'm just passionately curious.»

Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955), German physicist with Swiss and US citizenship

With the experiences from my childhood, I put a lot of effort into our son, 11, when he discovered his interest in playing the drums three years ago. I got him a seven-piece drum set and found the best teacher I could. He attested to our junior's talent, but that didn't stop him from putting the sticks down again after two years. Football was more important after all. I could hardly hide my disappointment. All the coaxing didn't help - until I realised that our son hadn't just fallen into a motivational hole; his interests had changed fundamentally. You realise: Discovering special abilities in good time, providing appropriate support and encouraging them properly is challenging. Our dossier «Giftedness» offers you some help.
My monthly reading tip, especially for men interested in parenting: In the past, it was common for men to only see their children every other weekend after a separation - fortunately, many fathers remain present today. Our report portrays three separated fathers and their childcare models: «Today I live with dad».
Sincerely,
Your Nik Niethammer