Every Child Has Needs

By Author: Warhorse
Total Articles: 1
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EVERY CHILD HAS NEEDS – “NON-ACADEMIC” ARE THE NEEDS OF THE HOUR.

It is being increasingly evident that the need to develop the children of today as well-equipped and future ready citizens instead of just being good students is at an all-time rise. The competitive spirit has never been higher amongst children and parents alike. The education system today is highly standardized and caters less to the specific needs of the students. Which certainly riles up an important question – What are these needs?

Let’s face it; life is tough even without the unique challenges that are put in front of kids these days. How to equip them with the emotional intelligence to slay the everyday dragons when we’ve hardly passed these hurdles ourselves as adults? With the current scenario, it is safe to say they are essentially trying to slay a dragon, but with a butter knife. The only things that will replace the butter knives are skills that will help children enhance and most importantly embrace their social skills, work skills, and life skills.

The trick to teaching these nonacademic skills/tools is to first, gain ...
... the knowledge as to exactly what one should be teaching, and then apply appropriate exercises for the application of these tools.
Without further ado, let’s discuss some of the specific “non-academic” skills. These skills, when clubbed with the right teaching methodology, can and will help kids deepen their everyday social and life skills to a great extent.

Character – The qualities that constitute good character can include any number of things but to give us all a focal point, let’s include enthusiasm, grit, optimism, self-control, thankfulness, curiosity and social intelligence. All of these fall under one all-encompassing trait: positivity. The aforementioned qualities are designed to prepare children for success. And no, it is not just referring to academic success, but overall success is life, which includes happiness and being an overall good and well-respected individual. How many leaders of the world do you know that had a bunch that had no respecting them? See where we are going with this?

Grit – Learning to get going when the going gets rough is a difficult lesson. Often, it leaves adults wanting to hide under the blankets! Having the courage and determination to resolve an obstacle or finish something that was once started is a key indication of one’s grit. – Encourage Kids to Follow Through!

Growth Mindset – This is the firm belief that although talent is a gift, the determination is the most useful tool. When you practice anything over and over again, positive results are bound to come around. Look at Mick Jagger, he may be semi-tone deaf, but he still managed to be a lead singer of one of the most famous rock-n-roll bands! The example of a non-stereotypical profession has been used quite intentionally. The growth mindset is often hampered at the “What can I allow my children to be when they grow up?” stage. Greatness is often restricted when children are forced to pick a career which isn’t their first choice.

Noncognitive Traits & Habits – Books and academic achievement are quite obviously only a minor portion of child’s learning process. Non-cognitive traits & habits include skills like self-discipline, persistence, feelings, and behaviors. As we live our lives and experience more feelings and different kinds of behaviors, our non-cognitive traits & habits grow. Nobel Prize winner, James Heckman, examined how non-cognitive traits & habits affected not only education but also work and life.

Social & Emotional Skills (SEL) – SEL refers to a child’s ability to express emotions appropriately, show empathy for others, build positive relationships and generally make good decisions. It allows you to better connect with your children, which helps them academically and improves discipline.