Every child is born with potential, but they do not naturally develop. This is according to Dr. Leticia Ho, president and founder of the Philippine Center for Gifted Education.
The child psychology expert said kids need to be exposed to intervening factors so that their potential can be developed and transformed into gifts.
This is where summer workshops and talent camps can help.
According to Dr. Tippy Tanchanco, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, talent camps offer many opportunities for kids to explore and learn on their own, which is important in discovering their true gifts.
“Children give cues early on. They can be showing signs of what they’re naturally inclined to in just a few months of age. It could be music, motor skills, or language,” said Dr. Tanchanco. “There is no particular age for it, but we need to look for signs that your child is developmentally ready.”
She noted that in honing a child’s athletic abilities, parents have to be sure that their kid is physically fit and ready. The same goes for developing academic abilities. If children show signs of absorbing information, then they are prepared for activities in which they are interested.
Aside from giving children a venue to further explore their potential, Jong Icasiano, a food scientist, and nutritionist added that providing them with their nutritional needs plays a vital role in nurturing their gifts or talents.
“A proper diet serves as fuel for the child since it is needed for their body and brain to achieve optimum development. Other factors may include boosting their confidence, good hygiene, and enough sleep,” said Icasiano.
Promil Four i-Shine Talent Camp is the country’s most popular talent camp for kids. Now on its sixth season, the talent camp featured four intensive workshops under the mentorship of experts in the field of arts, engineering, music, and dance, such as Robert Alejandro, Lei Sta. Maria, Ryan Cayabyab, and Georcelle Sy. These camps ran simultaneously from April 2 to May 3 in different locations in Metro Manila.
For its culminating activity, all participants of the four camps showcased what they learned in a recital held recently at the Kia Theater. It also gathered the parents, as well as the Camp Masters who joined the kids in their performance.
Kids from the Dance Camp blazed the stage with a number with Teacher Georcelle and the G-Force. Maestro Ryan, meanwhile, sang and played musical instruments with the kids from the Music Camp.
The kids from the Arts and Engineering Camp showcased a performance that highlighted their creativity and engineering skills with Teacher Robert and Teacher Lei.
“We are happy to see all the kids perform on stage. They really stood out and shined their brightest and I know that their parents are also very proud of them,” said Yvette Villegas, the brand manager of Promil Four. “This what the Promil Four i-Shine Talent Camp 6 is all about—to help hone, share, and celebrate the gift of every child.”