#0079: What are smart parents doing differently?

Education Next- Seventy ninth Edition

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Content:

  1. Future of Living: What are smart parents doing differently?

  2. Future of Learning: Young people optimistic about the future

  3. Building Skills: Helping others with skills

  4. Youth Inspiration:

Future of Living

Maya and Magnus are worldschoolers, they learn from people

In contrast to traditional settings where bringing kids to the workplace is often impractical, the dynamic lifestyle of nomadic parents, entrepreneurs, and those working from home allows for a unique integration of work and family life.

These unconventional professionals have the opportunity to bridge the gap between their professional and personal worlds by introducing their kids to their work.

For nomadic parents, the world becomes an expansive classroom. Every location visited, every cultural encounter, and every business engagement becomes a lesson in geography, sociology, and entrepreneurship.

Rather than a spectator, the child becomes an active participant in the parent's journey, gaining firsthand experience beyond the confines of textbooks.

Entrepreneurial parents have the chance to demystify their work for their children. Instead of an abstract concept, the business becomes a tangible entity they can explore together.

Children witness the dedication, problem-solving, and creativity involved in entrepreneurial endeavours, instilling valuable life skills that extend beyond the traditional classroom curriculum.

Early exposure to work cultures is a tremendous advantage for kids, offering insights into finance, the intricacies of work, and valuable life lessons.

Unlike being disconnected from their surroundings, my son Adi actively follows my work, providing suggestions and participating in numerous meetings we attend together.

It's a remarkable journey where Adi learns about the professional world and gains a deep understanding of decision-making, collaboration, and effective communication.

Adi's involvement is not passive; he plays an active role, offering insights and perspectives that are acknowledged and genuinely valued. His voice is more than accepted in our meetings – it's an integral part of the discussion.

Adi in the IMA gathering in Hyderabad

Digital nomads like Andreas are redefining the traditional boundaries of work and family life by incorporating their children into their unique lifestyles.

After attending these meetings with her worldschooling enthusiast father, Andreas, Maya (Andreas oldest daughter) engages in insightful discussions.

This unique learning opportunity allows her to learn from diverse individuals she observes during these meetings.

Maya, at a remarkably young age, has already attended over 800 meetings, engaging with a diverse array of individuals such as business leaders, artists, mayors, and government officials. Read more here 

Future of Learning

According to a survey conducted by PwC, young people across the globe are broadly optimistic about their prospects.

As we look at the shifting landscape of education and employment, it's clear that the youth see the future and are ready to shape it with their bright aspirations and expectations.

  1. Digital Natives: Gen Z grew up in a world dominated by technology, the internet, and social media. They are inherently comfortable with digital platforms, making them agile in navigating the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

  2. Diversity and Inclusion Advocates: This generation is more likely to celebrate and embrace differences in race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. They strive for equal representation and inclusion, advocating for a more equitable and tolerant future.

  3. Entrepreneurial Spirit: With access to information and resources online, Gen Z is characterized by a strong entrepreneurial spirit. They are more likely to pursue independent projects, start businesses, and seek unconventional career paths. This mindset contributes to a dynamic and innovative future economy.

  4. Global Awareness: Gen Z is globally aware and interconnected, growing up in an interconnected world. They are more likely to collaborate across borders, leveraging technology to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

  5. Flexible and Adaptable: Given the fast-paced changes in technology and society, Gen Z is known for its adaptability. They are comfortable with uncertainty, and their ability to quickly adapt to new circumstances will be crucial in navigating an ever-changing future landscape.

    70% of Generation Z adults, aged between 18 and 26, express optimism about their future, believing that their best days are yet to come.- AEI

Building Skills

In a heartwarming tale of generational connection, young Adi (10 years) stepped into the role of a tech mentor for his great-grandmother.

Adi helping his great grand ma

Recognizing the challenges she faced with her new mobile phone, Adi devoted time to ensure her smooth transition into the digital world.

Adi's patience was truly commendable. He took the time to introduce her to various tricks and features, making the learning process both enjoyable and empowering.

For starters, he showed her the wonders of using the microphone for more accessible communication, eliminating the struggle of typing.

Understanding the importance of language, Adi enabled Hindi on her device, making it more accessible and comfortable for his great-grandmother. He adjusted the font size to enhance visibility, ensuring every message and app became clearer for her to navigate.

With thoughtful consideration, he created shortcuts for the apps she used most frequently, simplifying her smartphone experience.

To ensure she could always reach out to her loved ones, Adi took the time to save significant phone numbers, putting convenience at the forefront.

With Adi's thoughtful guidance, technology became a bridge, not a barrier. Beyond the practical aspects of using a mobile phone, this experience became a beautiful bond, a testament to the enduring power of patience, empathy, and the willingness to share knowledge across generations.

Youth Inspiration

Power of Passion: Pursuing Dreams

Steve Jobs was known for his unwavering passion for technology and innovation, which fueled his success in co-founding Apple Inc.

Young people can learn that overcoming obstacles and staying motivated when genuinely passionate about something becomes easier.

He believed in staying open to new ideas rather than being trapped by dogma. In entrepreneurship, it's essential to know what your customers want, as Jobs did when he created products that people didn't even know they needed, such as the iPhone.

Following his inner voice and intuition, he shunned traditional market research and focus groups. Jobs took calculated risks, emphasizing the importance of timing in the market, which led to Apple's incredible success.

Throughout his life, Jobs preached the significance of innovation and firmly believed that time is limited. He lived by the philosophy of not wasting it living someone else's life.

"You've got to find what you love, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."

Steve Jobs

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