Want to nurture a kid’s superpower?

Kids and Super Powers

In a memorable TED talk, scientist and researcher, Peter Benson-Sparks asks the question,  What is the spark that each child carries within and how can we as educators, parents and other influencers of youth, encourage and fan the flames of that spark?

Benson believes that every child has a unique spark, a personal superpower or a special light to shine in the world. Unfortunately by the time children are adults only a fourth of them are following on the path of their spark. The other three fourths are  lost and discouraged. Not only is this detrimental to the child, but the world has also lost the benefit of their gifts and super power. How can we turn this around?

Listen and Observe

Often as the adults in a child’s life, our focus is on doing:  we teach, we measure results, we inform, we engage and we interact. What if before we focused on doing, we first focused on learning and understanding?

Spend time observing the children in your life and notice their unique gifts. Too often we focus on the negative.  John is failing math.  Suzy can’t run fast and George’s handwriting is illegible.  Instead take notice of the abilities they do have.  Ask the question:  What makes you happiest?  What gives you energy?  According to Benson, sparks or superpowers fall into one of three categories:  a skill or talent, a commitment or a quality or characteristic. Maybe your student is exceptional in math.  Maybe they are dedicated to caring for animals.  Maybe they have empathy for others.

Reflect and Encourage

Once you have identified a child’s spark or super power, take the opportunity to reflect it to them.  Point out what a natural they are at making music or playing baseball.  Recognize how they always think of others and encourage them to continue to be kind to the new kid who doesn’t have friends yet.  Notice their commitment to the environment or rescuing dogs in the local shelter.

Provide  Opportunities

As you recognize their superpower, provide them with opportunities to expand their gift and share it with others.  Maybe you help them create an after school club about caring for the environment or visit shelters to help with caring for rescue dogs.  Perhaps you enroll them in dance or art classes.  Maybe it is as simple as taking them to the library so they can nurture their love of reading and writing stories.  Not every child needs to be  the All Star athlete or valedictorian to shine.  There are many ways that educators and parents can provide opportunities for children to shine their light in the world and ignite the fire within.

Want to watch Peter Benson’s Ted Talk?

Elementary School Counselor Grab ‘n Go Lesson

Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Mindset

Wyatt the Wonder Dog didn’t make it on the All Star baseball team and he feels like a loser.  All  his friends will be playing baseball this summer, while he and his pesky sister, Callie, visit grandparents at the beach.  How Wyatt learns to handle disappointment and failure will be an important lesson for the future.  Will he give up trying new things?  Will he have the confidence to try again?  Are there some things that take more practice and persistence to learn than others?

This book is funny! Its dogs doing things that only people do! I learned to try new things. ~ ~Samuel Traub, Age 6