How to develop essential skills in children: Skills such as Self-awareness, Self-management, Responsible decision making, Relationships-
- The educational approaches of the 21st century is an inclusive as its curriculum designers and policymakers have come across all integrated studies such as philosophical, psychological, sociological aspects that are being immensely implicated for the successful education. In-depth knowledge on each of these aspects can never be ignored by any educational practitioners. In fact, these aspects are considered to be the core means of taking education to the most quality level and validation.
In addition, socio-emotional learning
(SEL) and its skills under psychological aspect also one of the widely aspired
means of successful academic journey of every child. Socio-emotional learning
caters five essential competencies (skills) to the child such as self-awareness, self-management, responsible
decision making, relationship and social awareness. And if we look at the
broad perspectives of education, we can notice the big implications of these
skills embedded in the field of education.
However, unfortunately, today’s global COVID19 pandemic has isolated millions of children worldwide from relevant skill enhanced platforms, that now these programs are not able to cater quality social and life skills ingredients because of continuous closure of schools and daycare centres. So, the matter of concern for the time being is how we can initiate alternative approaches in terms of enhancing such essential skills even during this critical situation.
This short write up would try to discuss 3 easy
activities for the children which can be facilitated by the respective parents at home.
 |
| Image source: globalfuvision.com |
Doable activities at home facilitated
by the respective parents:
·
Gratitude journal: One easy activity is creating a journal;
it is nothing but creating a space for a child where they can express about their
gratitude for something or someone else in the form of letters and drawing
followed by a series of questions so as to enhance them deeper thinking and
precise gratitude (who is one person that
makes you feel grateful today? What was one thing you ate today that made you
feel grateful? What is one thing about your body that helps you do something
and you are grateful about it?). Such a simple activity would be a starter and enhance
self-awareness and self-management skills.
·
Writing a letter or drawing a picture
for the loved one:
Another easy activity is about writing a letter or drawing a picture of some people they like about. Let children think about some important persons in
their lives and let them mention in letters or draw a picture. While doing such
activity children would get space to think and reflect on it. The most
important part of this activity is social connections and relationship skills.
This activity could be initiated followed by some questions such as who is someone very special for my life.
Who is someone that I am so proud of and always want to speak? Etc.
·
Making a schedule: Making a schedule for a day's activities is a very influential task that would enhance children’s decision making and
self-management skills. Design an activity chart of what should be done by
fielding some components, like, (what is the day today; how long I slept last night; the goal of the day; what I ate in lunch;
how it smelled; how tasty it was; the best part of the day was; the reason for me being grateful today; what am I looking for tomorrow, etc)
These
activities are very simple doable at the home context in the presence of the parents. Besides,
there are many relevant doable activities which can be accessed from YouTube in case of more clarity with the activities.
These activities are not limited to kids. Even we adults can work on the above Socio-emotional development activities, and discover the magic of self coordinated activities.
To know more in detail about this topic, please click on this link:
 |
| Ed CHAMP |