There are lots of children of the same age as your child, but no matter how many others match your child in some ways, your child remains unique. It is the particular mixture of personal traits that differentiates him/her from everyone else; that is what makes each child so special.

Developing and enhancing your child’s individuality is easier said than done because there are a number of practical constraints that work against this approach. For example, if you buy a piano for your eldest child, you will find it more convenient for your next child to learn to play the piano rather than having to buy another expensive musical instrument. Consequently, the child ends up learning to play the piano even if that doesn’t match her individual interests. Then there are your own aspirations for your child about the sort of education you want her to have, and the type of career you would like her to follow, but these may clash with her individual skills and interests. This can result in your child’s individuality being undermined.

One of the biggest external challenges to your child’s individuality, from the age of seven or eight onwards, is peer pressure; that is the psychological pressure for her to be like her friends. At times her need to be part of the group can be so strong that she is willing to put her own tastes and preferences aside, just so that he conforms to others expectations. Encourage your child to defend his personal beliefs, even when that runs the risk of causing unpopularity.

Every child has their own interests, talent and aptitudes. The challenge is to match this uniqueness with suitable activities suiting his individuality. Make a landing back from the pressures of everyday to see who your child really is. What is it that makes her so different from everyone and ignores out other distractions and concentrate only the particular qualifies. This will build a clearer picture.

Supporting your individuality also involves providing stimulation that allows your child to express and develop personal interests. Without such opportunities, your child cannot flourish. So think about what your child is interested in and what you can do to encourage interests.
Your approval of her attainments in all her achievements, whether academic, sporting or creative, means a lot to her. She needs to know that you think of what she has managed to attain in all her life.

Learning to play the piano may be fine for one of your children, but another might prefer the trombone or drums. Don’t force them to do things they are not interested in. Avoid measuring your child against other children in any circumstances. Encourage their talents.  Do your best to maximize your child’s potential, no matter what area that might involve, even if it is something outside your own interests. Perhaps, for example, you would prefer her to aspire to be a doctor rather than an actor, but her talent could lie in theatre and drama.