Unit 3, Lesson 3, ex. 2
In my opinion, our school system is based on the belief that the world will remain the same. However, the world will hardly remain the same – it is constantly changing! How can our kids prepare for the unknown and unpredictable world? By learning to adapt, to deal with change, to be prepared for anything.

Here is a list of skills kids should learn that will best prepare them for any world of the future.

No 1 is asking questions. We, as adults, should not object to our kids asking questions, we should encourage them to do so.

No 2: Solving problems. If a child can solve problems, they can do any job. It is hard work to keep from helping your child to solve their own problems. However, they have to learn not to give up trying, and keep on working hard, until they are confident enough in their problem-solving abilities.

No 3: Tackling projects. Our life is a series of projects – small and large: finishing school, writing a book or preparing a video for YouTube. If your child gets used to tackling projects, self-education might become one more exciting project for them.

No 4 is finding passion. When you feel like doing something, you put all your energy into it. If you get so excited that you can’t stop thinking about something, you’ll definitely complete this project.

No 5: Independence. Children should learn to be independent. Parents should only suggest doing something and gently encourage children to do things on their own. Once children learn to be independent, they learn that they don’t need anyone to tell them what to do, how to improve themselves.

No 6. Being happy on their own. Our children should not rely on their parents for achieving happiness. If they do, they won’t know how to be happy on their own. They will have to rely on their friends then, or think of other things that can make them happy like shopping, food, video games or the Internet. To prevent them from doing so, we should encourage them to learn from an early age to be happy by themselves, playing, reading and imagining. As someone said, ”Do not educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy and they will know the value of things, not the price of things.”

No 7 is being compassionate. We need this skill to work well with other people, to be happy by making others happy. Be compassionate to people and your child will learn how to be a good person, how to make others happier with little kindnesses.

No 8. Being tolerant is also a very important skill. We usually grow up where people are mostly alike, at least in appearance, and when we meet people who are different, it can be uncomfortable or even shocking. Show your kids that it is OK to be different. Encourage your kids to develop into tolerant individuals. What goes around, comes around.

No 9 is dealing with change. Teach your children to be flexible. If we prepare our children to adapt to anything, our kids will thank us for teaching them the right thing.