Keep a notebook and make a list of all the things your child is already interested in.  Keep adding to this list as you give him/her new opportunities to try different things.  Classify each experience as:
a) A definite talent 
b) Perhaps a talent
c) Probably not a talent 
Work with this list and try new things as an ongoing process.  You may or may not find a quick answer.  Since talents grow and evolve over time, the search for talent is not a conclusion; it’s a beginning.

Most people are talented at only a few things.  There will be many more things at which they are not talented.  For this reason the parent should give acknowledgement and support when the child does something well that appears to be a talent and ALSO when the child gives something a good try, no matter if they do it well or not.

To broaden our search, we will search for talents in different categories.  Look for a talent in something you would consider predominately:
a) Physical
b) Emotional
c) Mental

Sometimes a talent will “wake up” when the child reaches a certain age.  Previously it might have appeared that the child had no talent in this area, but all of a sudden here it is.  This may be because the child was never exposed to the talent in a way that made sense before, OR because the talent just “woke up” at that age in a way we don’t understand.

Because of this, treat the search for talent as an ongoing process because the results may not come right away.  It won’t be as simple as “try this, check it off in the notebook as yes or no and move on.”  Some things your child will:
a) Be good at right away—and stay good
b) Not be good at right away—but will steadily improve
c) Be good at right away—but lose interest after awhile
d) Not be very good at—even after spending considerable time at it.

a.) Interest is the main indicator of talent.  When children are interested in something, there is a light in their eyes, energy and enthusiasm.  When you see this, find them an opportunity to try it out. 

b.)   Forcing your child to do things he/she is not interested in.  No one benefits from a child being forced to do what he/she is not interested in.  One of the exceptions to this is doing chores and helping Mom and Dad around the house.  This teaches responsibility and how each person in the family does their part, BUT be sure that there is PLENTY of time left for things that your child is really interested in.

c.)   Forcing your child to DO THINGS they ARE interested in.  Time children spend at what they love MUST be voluntary. Nothing will ruin a love for a talent more quickly than being forced to do it.  For example many people with a talent for the piano gave it up because they were forced to practice as a child.  NEVER EVER force an interest in a negative way.  

d.)  Following and not following instructions.  Learning to follow instructions is important, and it’s also important for a child to find their own way of doing things.  Many of the world’s greatest discoveries, tastiest dishes and most wonderful inventions came from people “breaking the rules” and doing things their own way. Encourage your child to learn to follow instructions in certain situations, and also to do things their own way without following instructions in other situations.  If they can do things both ways, they have a definite advantage in life. 

e.)  Time alone.  Give your child time alone in order to allow certain talents and interests that come from within to surface. During this time he/she should be free to do things of his/her own choosing, or do nothing if that’s the choice.  These “alone” conditions will allow certain talents to come out naturally.  Other talents come out under different, even opposite conditions. The perfect atmosphere is a place that is completely quiet, with no TV or radio, no noise from other rooms, and no one else in the room.  If this perfect atmosphere is not possible, then get as close as to it as possible.   This “alone time” should not be forced in any way.  If he/she insists on not being alone, or wants quiet music playing then let it be.  Try for a perfect atmosphere another time.   

f.)  Boredom at home.  As human beings, we have the ability to turn our dreams into reality.  In a state of boredom we are one step closer to our subconscious mind which reveals itself to us in dreams, daydreams or in thoughts that seem to come from nowhere.   All great ideas, solutions to problems, inventions and discoveries come from the subconscious mind, which is our connection to the infinite intelligence of the universe. Einstein said:  “Imagination is more important than knowledge, because knowledge shows what was, whereas imagination can show us what will be.”  When your child is bored DON’T fill the boredom with TV or anything trivial.  Ask him/her to spend some time daydreaming, and then tell you what the daydream is about.   Write the daydream in your notebook. When you find the same daydream recurring 3-7 times in the notebook, give your child an experience related to the daydream, it may be a big clue to his/her talents.

g.) Your talents and interests and those of your child.  If you wanted to be a doctor and didn’t become one, please resist your own conscious or unconscious desire to have your child become what you wanted to be, but didn’t.  They have their own destiny.

h.) Opinions.  When they see your child looking interested in what he/she is doing, family or friends may try to give their opinions and advice to your child.  If a person has discovered and developed their own talent, and has done something admirable with their own life, they may have something useful to tell your child.  Don’t let them interrupt, but listen to them when your child stops for a while.   Unfortunately, many people who have not done much with their own lives try to give their opinions and advice to children.  Words from people like this can be misleading and harmful.  Bravely protect your child from the “advice” of people like this, and also from discouraging remarks of any kind by anyone. 

i.)  Mess.  In the big scheme of things, a mess is a small price to pay for keeping your child’s creative spirit alive. Ask him/her to clean it up, but don’t stop him/her from trying something just because it’s messy. Find a way to do it by doing it outside, in the garage, in the attic or put down plastic drop cloths as if the room was being painted.   There is always a way. Remember that trying new things is one of the most important things in discovering talent. 

j.) No interruptions please!  Unless your child asks a question, or asks for help, protect him/her from interruptions.  There are many ways to do something that have not yet been thought of, so don’t allow anyone to tell them “that’s not how you do that”.  Leave him/her alone unless they ask for help or advice.  For example: When my daughter was 12, she started experimenting with makeup and created some things that I thought were really strange.  I left her alone, except to ask her to clean up after she was finished. Today she is a well-known makeup artist who has done work for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour other top fashion magazines.  The bottom line is that I knew nothing about makeup, and had I interfered, I might have discouraged her from doing something she loves and at which she is successful.

k.) Mistakes. The only way not to make mistakes is never to try anything new. The most successful people make the most mistakes because they are always trying new things.  They learn equally from their successes and “failures.”   

l.) Travel.  Travel of any kind is great for kids to discover new things.  Travel by car is especially good because you can stop to explore something your child finds interesting.