In a rapidly changing world that is becoming increasingly digital and globalized, parents and teachers need to prepare young people for the challenges they will face in the coming century. 21st century skills for kids involve the traditional basic skills (reading, writing and mathematics) as well as other, less easily defined and taught, skills such as creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking as well as adaptability and leadership. Following are some of the key skills that children need to be taught to thrive in the 21st century.
Skills Related to the Individual
These skills originate in the child’s need to control their feelings, thoughts and actions and are demonstrated through self-control, self-awareness and being able to focus their attention. These can be taught by allowing kids to set their own timetable for daily and weekly plans for learning. By attaching deadlines to these tasks kids can be taught the importance of achieving goals and to take their work seriously.
Team Skills
Kids need to learn interpersonal skills and relationship skills so that they can function effectively with others; these include skills like communication, collaboration, teamwork and empathy which are important for working with others so that they understand and respect others’ opinions.
Drive and Determination Skills
Children should be assessed not only on their academic performance but also on the drive and determination they show in achieving objectives and goals. These reflect aspects of the will and reflect a child’s perseverance to succeed. The 21st century skills for kids is likely to require people that have high self-motivation and teaching these skills early is vital.
Adaptability and Flexibility
In a rapidly changing environment, kids need to learn how to face obstacles and overcome them successfully; even when they fail they need to learn the lessons of that failure to do better next time. While kids can face stress when unexpected changes occur in their environment, they must also learn to think clearly and remain calm while facing these ruptures and be able to react quickly to these changes. They also need to be flexible in their thinking and not be bound by the strictures of past ideas and methods.
Creativity
The world is likely to face, and require, radical changes in the coming century and innovation, creativity and imagination will be key abilities for those seeking to make those changes. Children need to be encouraged to constantly see the world in a new way and to realize the endless possibilities that face them.