Creating A Portfolio for Your Child

When my child was in elementary school, I decided to get a head start on planning for high school. “What High Schools Don’t Tell You (and other parents don’t want you to know)” was a book I discovered and the author, Elizabeth Wissner-Gross, is an educational strategist. This book was definitely eye opening on several levels, but one of the things that struck me most was the importance of building your child’s portfolio…YES, A PORTFOLIO and how to create one to make your child stand out among the crowd.

This little gem of building a portfolio has been helpful to me when it came to putting my child in extracurricular activities, using summer break as a time to expose my child to many different things. We had our son in all sorts of programs like Zoo Camp at Brookfield Zoo where children get to go behind the scenes at the Zoo and go to feedings and learn about animals;  Peggy Notebaert Museum Camp to study bugs, as well as nature and science; University of Chicago’s Summer Program where he learned about the Stock Market (which he began investing in when he was 10 years old), dissecting animals which lead him to going into the Operating Room with a cousin who headed the ENT Department at a major hospital, learning to golf and fencing; Computer Camps to learn to develop video games; Basketball and Baseball Camps at Chicago Bulls and White Sox camps; Music Camps where he even took a Big Band course with his dad (a drummer) and they played together; Music Camps where he was away for a 6 week program; Museum Camps and other programs. The goal was to expose him to as much as possible while he was young and pliable to see what he liked and/or excelled in. While it was an investment that I saved for through my Flex plan at work, it was worth every penny. Investing in your child’s future was important.

My husband, son and I discuss how many different revenue streams he has coming in or could have based on what he currently knows. My 13 year old began investing in the Stock Market at 10 (he does much better than I did); he performs at events playing the piano; he can teach (he’s still learning right now, but this is a viable option later); he has recorded an album entitled “Chopin for Kids“; and he’s beginning to write music; he can develop websites and several other things that can generate income. My husband is an entrepreneur and we believe in the future there will be more opportunities and rewards by being your own boss than working for others.

Start early building your child’s portfolio and put every award, excellent work he’s done in or outside of school. NEVER allow money to stand in the way of getting into programs…there’s always scholarships and other options. You can visit the websites and/or call the enrollment office to find out options.

Pick up this book and pick up some new ideas to help your child get their portfolio together.