In the world today, it is imperative that we raise children with strong creative problem solving, leadership, and critical thinking skills. These skills are essential for a successful future, both in school and in life. This is why we would like to share with you some tips on how to develop your child's wonder, explore and lead skills.
Encouraging a Sense of Wonder
Wonder is the foundation of creativity and imagination. Encouraging your child to ask questions and explore the world around them is a great way to help them develop this skill.
Nurturing the Desire to Explore
Exploration is key to developing critical thinking skills. Children learn best through exploration, so it's important to create opportunities for your child to explore the world around them.
Check this out from Dr. Mary Hemphill’s incredible book, “The One-Minute Meeting: Creating Student Stakeholders in Schools“:
“When students are positioned to experience, discuss, and analyze their experiences as learners, thinkers, and stakeholders in the school, change happens from the inside out.”
Dr. Mary Hemphill
- Provide hands-on experiences: Encourage your child to try new things and to use their hands to explore the world around them.
- Get outside: Take your child on outdoor adventures and explore nature.
- Experiment: Encourage your child to experiment and try new things.
- Encourage problem solving: Encourage your child to think critically and solve problems through exploration and trial and error.
- Take field trips: Take your child on field trips to museums, zoos, and other educational places that provide hands-on experiences.
Developing Leadership Skills
Leadership skills are crucial for success in life. Developing these skills in your child can help them grow into confident and successful individuals.
- Encourage decision making: Teach your child to make decisions and take responsibility for their actions.
- Provide opportunities to lead: Encourage your child to take on leadership roles in school, sports, or other activities.
- Teach teamwork: Teach your child the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
- Empower your child: Empower your child to make their own decisions and take charge of their own life.
- Teach empathy: Teach your child to understand and appreciate the perspectives of others.
Classroom Exercise: Developing Wonder, Explore and Lead Skills
Objective: To encourage students to develop their wonder, explore and lead skills through a hands-on and interactive activity.
Materials:
- Blank paper
- Markers or colored pencils
- Post-it notes
- Large poster board
Instructions:
- Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students.
- Give each group a piece of blank paper and markers or colored pencils.
- Ask each group to brainstorm and list as many questions as they can about a topic of their choice. The questions should be designed to encourage wonder and curiosity.
- Once each group has a list of questions, have them choose the top 5 questions to turn into a mini-investigation.
- Give each group a set of post-it notes and ask them to use their questions to guide their mini-investigation.
- Have each group share their findings with the class by presenting their results on a large poster board.
- After each group has presented, have a class discussion to reflect on the process of exploring and discovering answers to their questions. Discuss how they used their critical thinking and problem solving skills to come up with answers.
- Finally, ask each group to choose one of their questions to continue exploring further, either as a class or in small groups.
Assessment: Observe the students' participation and involvement in the activity. Evaluate their critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as their ability to lead and work in a team.
Expected Outcome: This activity is designed to encourage students to develop their wonder, explore and lead skills. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions, explore new topics, and use their critical thinking and problem solving skills to find answers. By working in small groups and presenting their findings, students will also have the opportunity to develop their leadership and teamwork skills.
Conclusion
In conclusion, by developing your child's wonder, explore and lead skills, you are preparing them for a successful future. Encourage their curiosity, provide hands-on experiences, and empower them to lead. Remember to play, experiment, and take field trips to help them develop these essential skills.
