Maybe I’m dating myself. But do you remember watching “The Jetsons” on Saturday mornings, munching on cereal and dreaming of a world where your own Rosie the Robot would clean your room? Boy, I do.
The wonders of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have turned those cartoon dreams into reality.
Fast forward to today. Now, your grown child, all dressed for work, walks out the door, ready for a day at a job that didn’t even exist back in your day.
Maybe they’re an AI Ethicist, a Space Tour Guide, or a Virtual Reality Experience Designer — roles that we once only fantasized about in sci-fi movies.
It’s pretty mind-boggling, right?
How do we ready our kids for a future we can hardly predict, a world driven by AI and filled with jobs we can’t yet even conceive?
Given this high-tech world they are stepping into, we need to change our approach.
Let’s start with the well-known psychologist, and writer, Carol S. Dweck’s insight into how children approach overcoming challenges as they age.
“As soon as children become able to evaluate themselves, some of them become afraid of challenges. They become afraid of not being smart. I have studied thousands of people from preschoolers on, and it’s breathtaking how many reject an opportunity to learn.”
Her observation underscores the importance of nurturing a growth mindset in our kids. Instilling this mindset not only empowers them to embrace challenges but also equips them with the tools to adapt and thrive in the face of the unknown.
Rather than dwelling on the daunting aspect of the future, let’s concentrate on the practical strategies we can use to help our kids, and ourselves, conquer the fear of the unknown, embrace new experiences, and view every misstep as a learning opportunity.
Growth Mindset: A Proven Approach
- View mistakes as learning opportunities. Teach your kids that making mistakes is entirely OK. Actually, it’s an important part of how we all learn. Encourage them to take on new challenges and teach them how working through them can lead to growth in themselves and mastering new skills.
- Praise effort, not just talent. Make sure to praise your children for the effort and dedication they invested instead of focusing on their natural abilities. This shows kids that achieving success requires more than natural abilities; it also requires perseverance, tenacity, and consistent effort.
- Model a growth mindset. You are your child’s first and most influential role model. Talk about how you face challenges with a growth mindset and how you still learn and grow as an adult. This helps them understand that learning is a lifelong process and that even adults have a lot to learn.
In a world that’s always evolving, nurturing a growth mindset in our children by teaching them to accept change, providing flexible learning opportunities, recognizing effort, leading by example, and promoting resilience in the face of difficulties is a key ingredient to future-proofing our kids.
Remember every little thing you do helps them grow stronger and more adaptable.
Here’s to shaping not just resilient learners, but curious and confident future trailblazers.
So, which of these strategies will you start with to spark your child’s love for learning and growth?