In elementary school, children learn the fundamental skills and knowledge they will need for the rest of their lives. These include, above all, reading, writing, and arithmetic. But what about the skills that are rarely or never covered in elementary school? What skills will children need in the future that go beyond the knowledge they learn in school?
The future seems uncertain, and we can only guess which skills will be most important in the future. However, it is clear that the world is changing rapidly and that children should be equipped with the skills to adapt to new challenges.
A mere accumulation of "ready-made knowledge" that quickly becomes outdated is no longer sufficient. Children should learn to actively look beyond this pool of knowledge acquired at school in order to be better able to adapt to the realities of the future.
Competencies that should be promoted beyond school
1. Social skills
Social skills refer to the ability to interact with others and build relationships. It's important for children to learn how to communicate effectively, collaborate, and resolve conflicts. Through interactions both in and outside of school, children learn basic communication skills. Being able to express oneself clearly in different situations and contexts is a key skill for the future.
2. Self-management skills
Self-management refers to how to make optimal use of time and resources. It's important for children to learn how to set priorities, achieve goals, and manage their time effectively. Work with your child to consider things like how long they're allowed to use digital media or what small household chores they can help with.
3. Digital competence
In today's digital world, it's important for children to learn how to use technology. They should be able to master basic computer and internet skills and understand how to use digital media safely. Proper use of digital media can be practiced from an early age with the appropriate tools. EDURINO is a learning app for children ages 4 and up, where children can act independently and safely play through the learning worlds without advertising or in-app purchases.
4. Creativity
Creativity is an invaluable skill in life. It can help us find new ideas and solutions, making life more exciting. This skill is becoming increasingly important in an increasingly automated world. Children should be able to develop new and innovative ideas and adapt flexibly to changes. You can read more about how creativity can be fostered from an early age in our advice post "Fostering Creativity in Children."
5. Problem-solving skills
Problem-solving is a skill that is beneficial in every situation in life. It is important that children learn how to approach challenges and look for solutions. Group work should also be encouraged outside of school; this can be reinforced through collaborative puzzle solving, for example, during a scavenger hunt. This also trains the ability to work in a team and to approach challenges together and examine them critically. Children should learn how to gather and evaluate information from various sources in order to make informed decisions. Logical thinking is a core skill for problem-solving.
With the Future Skills Bundle, consisting of Luka "Logical Thinking & Coding" and Juki "Creativity & Painting," EDURINO promotes many of these relevant skills that extend beyond elementary school. With these EDURINO figures, your child will learn problem-solving, puzzle-solving, structured design, and much more.
By teaching children these skills, we give them the tools to prepare for an uncertain future. We can't know which competencies will be most important in the future, but we can ensure that our children are equipped with the necessary skills beyond elementary school to succeed and adapt to change. This will help them grow into confident and creative adults. Your EDURINO team!
