We may be gifted in more than one of these areas and not gifted in more than one of these areas. Most of these are not tested on standard IQ tests. A child may not love reading but really does well in math. In some instances, none of the “academic” areas may seem to interest a student.

The answer to this dilemma of course is to use what your child is interested in to teach what they are required to know at school. For example:

• If they love music, let them sing their math facts.
• If they love art, let them work on the patterns they can find in multiplication facts.
• If they have they Bodily-Kinesthetic thing going, let them clap or jump their facts on a number-line drawn on the sidewalk.
• If you can find reading material that addresses what they are interested in they are more likely to read.
• If they are gifted in the interpersonal area, they enjoy group work or teaching younger children how to do things.

Each child has wonderful gifts to offer this world. It is the job of educators and parents to discover what their gifts are and give them the opportunity to enhance them. It's our job to support them in those areas where they might not be so “gifted.”

One of my third grader’s once told me “I’m just not a reading kind of guy.” And he wasn’t, but he was great at math! It's so important that both teachers and parents appreciate our children for who they are, and encourage them to make the most of their gifts.

Watch your child in all of their activities. Find that area where you can offer praise for their special ability. Feeling good about our ability in one area gives us the courage to work on those areas where we may not be as adept.