Nurturing My Child's Interest

Updated on July 27, 2008
S.C. asks from Los Angeles, CA
5 answers

I hope that my request would not be misinterpreted and bring upon any negative comments.

My daughter is currently 2 yrs., 4months. But before she had even turned 1-year, she already displayed exceptional (at least we think so) fine-motor skills. She was able to strap herself in when we put her in a high-chair at restaurants. And from about 14 months, she could put together pretty much all the basic puzzles that are made for 2 year olds. She has no problem fitting shapes (squares, circles, rectangle) into corresponding slots. But what we've noticed during this past year is that she has this unique fascination for "contraptions" (not so much remote control or devices). More like anything that can be "attached & detached"; she goes crazy over it and can play with it over and over. The best example I can give is...she loves attaching the latch/belt of her baby brother's carseat. In addition, I noticed how intensely focused she is whenever I'm tying her shoes. Her eyes are fixated on my hands, watching my every move; I can see how intent she is on learning how to do it herself. My husband jokes that she is either going to be a doctor or a construction worker. However, we realized that she's not really interested in building blocks.

I believe that this particular skill and interest of hers is obviously innate. I want to know if anyone has suggestions on games or activities that I can do to nurture her interest. And are there any such places that I can go to have her tested that may offer insight into what her personal talents may be (i.e. her fine-motor skills suggests what?) I would love to nurture her talent because I believe that if she gets to do what she's interested in or is good at, she will be a happy and confident child.

I just want to conclude by saying that I am a mom who is not interested in the "overscheduled child" syndrome that I believe is plaguing our nation. So I hope that my questions did not imply that I want an overachiever. In fact, my only wish for my daughter is that she grows up to be a happy, compassionate, and empathetic human being with whatever she does with her life.

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

My oldest son was very similar at that age. We even used to bring the carseat in at hotels so he could play with the buckles. We found he liked take-apart toys (usually they came as cars or trucks) that were joined with large plastic screws or nuts/bolts and could be completely disassembled and reassembled. I think if you just search for "take apart toys" you will find some. Lacing cards are also good for fine motor and Bristle Blocks for attaching and detaching. When she's a little older, try K'Nex, marble run or gears.

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C.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

How about making jewelry? beading is super fine motor, and fun.

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C.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

If you are a parent that doesnt want an overachiever, why have her tested in the first place. Just let her be herself and introduce different things to her to see what she adapts to. Also try a musical instruments to see how she reacts to it.

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D.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Dear Samantha, I think it's great that you are highly attuned to your child's particular abilities and interests. This is not so much about the amount of intellegence but what type of intellegence your child possess'. My son was one who loved memorizing things at an early age. He recited the alpahabet numbers and other things at age two. This was something he did pretty naturally, one of the few things that caught his interest other than rough housing at that age. His tendency to memorize translated into the ability to read early and then to being a good student because he was a good reader. At 19, he is interested in law, for which that memorization ablitity will fit right in. My daughter is a very different child, her acumen lies in understanding emotional inellegence. She is very good at leading and comphrehending others. Neither are geniuses, both have a better chance of finding fulfillment by having a good understanding of their inate abilities. When it comes to your daughter I was thinking she may have interests that facilitate her in the areas of science, engineering, or art. She may like to figure out puzzels, see how things work, or just enjoy studying form. Maybe all of the above. Your on the right track with offering her these things. If you have her tested do so just to find out more about what you can offer that she will find interesting. Don't push her to do things, and don't let people call her a genious or label her in any way. You want to offer her possibilities not pressures. Watching your child learn is so much fun and it sounds like you have figured that out already. Enjoy!

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M.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm like you and believe if they are nurtured they will grow. Try little wood puzzles, like Rubics cube. I think they are called Chinese puzzles, and then see about testing through UCLA child psychcology (sp?), or education dept. Hope this helps.

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