Pointing Children To Their Strengths

Today our guest poster is Lucille Williams, who has written a children’s book:
“Turtle Finds His Talent” is a wonderful addition to your children’s library.

Pointing Children To Their Strengths by Lucille Williams

When I was in elementary school I can remember feeling extreme panic when the teacher asked the class to read out loud. We would start at one end of the classroom, and as it got closer to my turn, panic would set in. I had trouble reading as a kid, and I’d stop at “small” words as I saw “big” words coming up. During the pause, I’d try to figure out the “big” word. All this to avoid being laughed at or seen as stupid. It usually didn’t work, and the kids would often laugh at me while I was struggling to read. It was quiet shaming, and I had such anxiety and fear surrounding reading. And school in general. 

I always felt different than other kids.  

School overall was very difficult for me. As an adult, I discovered I had ADHD. No wonder I had so much trouble with reading and schoolwork and paying attention in class. I suffered greatly as a kid feeling like I didn’t measure up to the other kids. Getting help from others and feeling like I lacked the skills other kids had plagued me throughout my childhood.

I felt like I wasn’t good enough and longed to be like the other kids. 

It wasn’t until I became an adult that I realized I had great gifting too. I even became a writer–which I never thought was possible. I wish someone had taught me to focus on my strengths instead of my weaknesses. 

Children can learn this early: We all do not have the same gifting, and we all are special in our own way.

“For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” -Psalm 139:13-14

Instead of comparing our weaknesses to other people’s strengths, we can focus on celebrating our differences and embracing our God-given talents. 

This is what Turtle Finds His Talent: Discovering How God Made You Special is all about Teaching children to focus on their own abilities and specialness and God-given talents. This is a good lesson for us adults too. I have learned to adjust to functioning with ADHD and have learned to thrive in it. There are good aspects to every challenge. 

God made each child special and unique. Cheering for and affirming differences fosters confidence and self-esteem. Talking about feelings like joy and sadness helps a child navigate and process emotions. When we read to our kids and then talk about the story, we do just that.

“My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and skillfully formed in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my formless substance; and in Your book were written all the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” -Psalm 139:15-16

Lucille Williams: You can purchase her book on Amazon.