9 Essential Skills Kids Should Learn.
The topic of this article is “9 Essential Skills Kids Should Learn” written by Leo Babauta. http://zenhabits.net/kid-skills/
This article suggests nine essential skills that students should be learning to adequately prepare them for the future. The writer believes children are not being taught the proper skills that they will need in the future. He believes that because the future is unpredictable, always changing and unknown, teachers need to prepare children to adapt and deal with change by teaching them these nine essential skills.
1. Asking qestions2. Solving problems
3. Tackling projects
4. Finding passion
5. Independence
6. Being happy on their own
7. Compassion
8. Tolerance
9. Dealing with change
I agree with the essence of what “Leo Babauta” is talking about. Children should be encouraged to ask questions and solve problems. This will help them in the future to deal with any kind of situation. Tackling projects at school that they are passionate about either by themselves (independent thinking problem solving etc) or in a group (development of compassion and tolerance towards others) will essentially improve a child’s confidence and better prepare them for any kind of future endeavor. The future is unpredictable and unknown so dealing with change is probably the most important life skill to teach children. Things change very quickly and when they do change, we also must adapt and adjust ourselves accordingly.
I primarily teach university students so I feel that by the time the students come into my class they should have already learned most of the skills mentioned above. All teachers are a huge influence in students lives; these nine essential skills may start at an early age but they continue through all levels of education.
I did like the post and I actually read the same post for my Blog as well. You mentioned in your blob that students should have already learned these skills before they enter University, but what are some teaching methodologies that you would suggest to teach someone Critical Thinking or Being Happy on Their Own? How do you teach someone to be a Self-Starter?
ReplyDeleteI do agree with most of the article, but its easy to be a monday morning quaterback and not a sunday morning. Passing the buck and saying they should have learned these skills before I get to them is one thing, but how can you put these skills into action in our own classes?
Interesting comment Jon. Perhaps I used too strong of a word with my comment of "should have". Luckily Steve posted a comment too and I feel he articulated my thoughts more clearly. I can always help my students "to become more proficient" at these skills. Great comment mate, very well thought out.
DeleteI would argue that although your university students may have learned these essential skills, they can always become more proficient at them. The skills can be reinforced in our lessons, helping our students to continue to grow.
ReplyDeleteHey Steve!!! I was going to say that~!!!!! Well Tristan although I agree that our students have learned some of these skills, they definitely haven't perfected them. Then again have we even perfected them?
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