Observation Skills - Unlock the code to your child's inner Detective

I am sure the famous detective character of Sherlock Holmes intrigues us all on many levels. We all secretly envy his spying potential and observation skills but fail to realize that we too were born with the same abilities that lie dormant within us today! This epitome of deductions or the Paragon of Logic was not superhuman. Unlike us, he merely cultivated what he was born with.

If you have been looking around for personality development courses for your children or just want them to carry around the one-of-a-kind aura; then this skill is your one step closer to that goal. 

If I were to ask you to spell out your exact thoughts at this very moment, what would they be? I am convinced that across the board for all adults and children, it will be something revolving around your daily schedule or routine life. More often than not, our ‘Brain Attic’ is saturated with agendas such as how should I make this presentation more attractive? What should be cooked in the next meal? Why was my colleague or friend rude today?

The configuration of these mind reflections could vary but undoubtedly will pertain to an internal agenda. None of us, today, have the time to invest in thoughts like, “What is the color of the sky today? Which birds are usually seen in our neighborhood? What color was my colleague/friend wearing today?” In today’s demanding world, none of us have the time to stand and stare. None of us want to or feel the need to exercise our observation skills.

The magnificence of the world around us cannot be articulated even in the best of human vocabulary. Unfortunately, engrossed and chained in the web of hectic schedules, we all fail to observe and appreciate the beauty of our exterior surroundings. We have almost lost touch with any external observations. We, along with today’s, generation have forgotten to harness the observation skill or rather a very crucial life skill of turning our attention domain from the inside hassles to the outside world.

Observation, deduction, intuitiveness are all impressive characteristic traits that we as humans seem to be “gifted” with. However, observation has been the source of human evolution. So, saying that only few people have it and others don’t would be unfair. No one really realizes that all of these traits only encompass one simple common element-the ability to notice and be aware of our surroundings which include living and non-living entities.

Noticing the minute details of our surroundings, igniting fresh and novel thoughts, becoming open to observing the triggers of positive and negative behavior in the people around us can indeed help anyone emerge as an instant people’s person. You will be amazed to see how this is in our very own hands- whether we want to evoke smiles or sure-shot irritant factors. Once we decide to observe what irritates a person and what makes them feel happy, maintaining healthy relationships becomes as easy as breathing.

Fortunately though, helping your child develop the “Holmes kind of deductive skills” is just as easy. Follow these 5 ways and watch your and your children’s observation skills thrive!!

 

 

 

 

A lot of parents complain that their child seems to be losing his/her “memory-retention” abilities. Well, that is because rather than observing and making sense of his/her surroundings, your child is trying to make sense of the video game that s/he is playing on the phone. 

Studies have proven that active observation can lead to significant memory enhancement. Even observing something as simple as the number of flights your child climbed that day and being able to remember that piece of information at the end of the day means that s/he is making an active effort to observe information and retain it in his/her head. 

Make them do small exercises that cultivate their observation skills such as, “What’s new about that plant in the garden? What’s new about our living room today? Do you notice something different about your dad today?” All you need to remember is that “Observation is how your brain exercises.” Just remember the points below to inculcate Observation Skills:

• Observation comes from ‘Being Present’ in the moment
• Make children observe minute changes in the surroundings
• Make them notice emotional triggers such as what makes people happy/ irritated.

To read our blog about reducing your child’s screen time, click here.

 

 

 

What really makes observation skills so valuable is a person’s ability to add meaning to their observation. 

Don’t allow them to say- ‘I don’t know’. This single phrase can turn out to be very dangerous in your child’s life. 

Imagine Sherlock Holmes critically observing a crime scene but being able to make no sense of it. Useless, right? Encourage your child to observe unique things everyday and ask relevant questions related to that observation. 

Once they start feeding their curiosity by asking these ‘self-posed’ questions themselves, you have a Sherlock Holmes sitting right across the hall.

Observation is about addressing the ‘WHY’?:

· Make children identify the purpose behind doing any task

· Encourage them to ask logical questions

· Help them identify the ‘Why’ behind people’s actions

 

 

 

Challenging them with problems that extend beyond that math question or the puzzle you got them last week is what will truly make them apply all their hidden “Sherlock Holmes” talents to real life. 

Give them real-life problems, situational simulations and ask them to solve these and see how they grow by leaps and bounds.

Observation is about ‘PRACTICING PROBLEM SOLVING’:

· Make them observe daily life problems

· Ask them to ideate and create innovative solutions

· Critique their solutions and help them identify the best option

 

 

 You never even realize that your child uses the ‘Observe and Deduct’ technique everyday when s/he watches the television and mutes out all the background noise. 

When they watch television, they don’t pay attention to the sound of the air conditioner, or the utensils being washed in the kitchen. Most of the times, they don’t even realize what you are saying to them- that’s how engrossed they are. 

Imagine if this inherent quality to focus on one thing and one thing only at a particular point in time is guided in the right direction, how successful your child could be in everything s/he does. 

‘OBSERVE & DEDUCT’ TECHNIQUE can also be used to:

·  Make them observe the things/ behavior that are adding clutter to their life.

· Clutter is the behaviour which unnecessarily bothers people around us.

· Guide them to ‘DEDUCT’ that behavior from their being.

· This is the shortest and the most sure-shot way to be admired.

 

 

 Observation is all about focusing on the right thing and taking the right action to better the current situation. This could be practiced anywhere starting from the classroom to solving real-life, seemingly insignificant problems or even bettering relationships. 

Just like the Observe and Deduct technique, we can also use something called the ‘Observe and Enhance’ technique. If we can help children observe and identify what things they do unknowingly but that work in their favor, they can narrow down what they need to do more of. 

This gives them an understanding of what they need to enhance in their day to day behavior, actions and academics too. It’s all about knowing to enhance what works and deduct what doesn’t work from your life to be successful. 

Practicing this technique in your day-to-day life is what makes your child a master problem-solver, no matter what the situation is.

‘OBSERVE & ENHANCE’ TECHNIQUE can also be used to:

· Make them observe the things/ behavior that are adding value.

· Value can be created by participating in behavior that causes happiness to others.

· Guide them to ‘ENHANCE’ and add the said behavior into their being.

· This amazing technique will allow them to be admired by one and all in no time.

So you see, all Sherlock Holmes did was awaken the detective with him. Are you ready to awaken the detective in your child, sharpen his/her observation skills and experience the plethora of opportunities ‘ Observation Skills’ will create  in their life.

Do you have observation techniques you use with your children that work? Share with me the one technique from above that you found most useful, the one technique that you will definitely start applying from today. 

Write in the comment section if you want me to write about any specific issue you are dealing with. How do you feel this article was helpful? Share with us in the comments section below!!