Idea:
Naming Children's Strengths
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For all those with concern for children,
and this month especially, mothers. Here's a simple approach to
helping children recognize and share their giftedness, callings, and
Caller.
The basic strategy is threefold:
1) Help children identify their
good experiences.
That is, "something you tried hard to
do and that turned out the way you wanted it to--something you were
proud of."* (For adults we define good experiences as those
times when you did something well, enjoyed doing it, and were proud of
the results.) If nothing comes immediately to mind, offer some of
the following ideas as prompts: "acting, building forts, digging holes,
fishing, painting, playing an instrument, taking care of pets."*
You might also try offering up sentence starters like:
- When I was younger I think people
were proud of me the time I. . .*
- I didn't think I could do it but. .
.*
- I deserved a pat on the back the
time I. . .*
Upon identifying a few good
experiences, invite the child to draw a summary picture.
2) Help children to work back from
their good experiences to their underlying strengths.
Next, invite the child to describe
their picture(s). In response, offer up something like: "You must
have been very (athletic, determined, brave, patient, strong) to have
had a good experience like that!"* Help the child name and
claim the specific strengths evidenced by their good experience.
3) Commission children to share
these gifts with friends, family, classmates, neighbors, etc.
Finally, create a card or medallion
with the child's name, a list of strengths, and a Bible verse (some
possibilities are listed below). Make clear that gifts are for
giving. Commission the child to use their gifts to love, care, and
serve those around them (e.g., siblings, teachers, neighbors, etc.)
- "You are the salt of the earth."
(Matthew 5:13)
- “You are the light of the world. .
.let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good
works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14)
*The specific ideas outlined above were
excerpted from an excellent elementary school training manual,
Helping Kids Find
Their Strengths.
To learn more about the Dependable
Strengths Articulation Process as it relates to Christian calling, join
us for one of our
Discover Your Call! Workshops. |
