I read a blog about "What should children learn?" They were trying to
think outside the box. They wondered if the focus on traditional
subjects is really all that important. Seeing the responses was
interesting. I had an inkling that my list would not resemble too many
others, but with 3 teenagers, and 2 grown step-kids with children of
their own, here's what I think are the most important things children
should learn:
- Kindness and compassion. Learn how to put yourself into other people's shoes. When everyone else jumps on a bandwagon against something someone did, hold back a little bit.
- Live in the moment. Realize that there are about 16 waking hours in a day. And when they're gone, they're gone. There's nothing wrong with having a little "down time" but make sure you have some "up time too."
- Listen to people when they talk to you. Give them your full attention. Think about what they're saying but also why they might be saying it to you.
- Learn healthy eating choices and find exercise that you like and can do nearly every day. You're going to be in this body for a while - longer if you take care of it
- Learn your strengths and your weaknesses. Do something about or with both. Take time to get to know yourself.
- Learn about the nature of advertising and marketing.
- Learn how to pursue your interests. Learn how to find information on the internet.
- Be brave. Try new things. You never know what you might actually like.
