By-Lined Column by Tanja Spasojevic, General Manager of Ora, the Nursery of the Future
Dubai, UAE, 31 March 2023: Today’s children are tomorrow’s changemakers, leaders and problem-solvers. As such, it is critical to empower children in their early years to help them be positive changemakers for tomorrow. Educators have an instrumental role to play in moulding the children with right methodologies and teaching practices to envision them to be positive leaders of the future.
To be able to instil this skill, educators need a new kind of education – one which utilises futuristic technologies like advanced science and artificial intelligence. An education system that empowers children in their early years to have the courage to take action for a cause and learn invaluable skills of leadership and innovation in the process. A perfect way to start is to adopt revolutionary technologies at the heart of the curriculum, where every student is empowered to become an active citizen with a global mindset.
As educators, there is much we can do to help students significantly engage in social change. Developing a taste for reading can serve as the base for action. We can introduce important topics and literacy skills featuring information about important heroes. By encouraging children to read books about lesser-known champions will make them understand that every person has different capabilities for being leaders of tomorrow, for example.
A peer-to-peer programme is another opportunity to empower children to be the changemakers for tomorrow. These programmes allow children to network, connect and work together helping them be positive changemakers for the future.
Promoting social and civic values, such as tolerance, teamwork, respect and empathy, can also serve as a great tool to promote and encourage children to be positive future leaders.
