photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtbl/Social and technological changes are impacting our world at the fastest rate ever experienced by humans. What is this doing to our children?
"The world our kids are going to live in is changing four times faster than our schools" ~ Dr. Willard Daggett
This is what makes it vital for our society to rethink how we do the things we do - parenting, education, preparing our children for a future that we have no concept of what it will look like.
How our children will learn and function effectively within our society is largely based on how well they adapt to change.
Within that - the ability to adapt - they need to feel that they are capable and be confident in their ability to learn and succeed. - Personal efficacy.
They need to feel that their life has meaning and purpose.
We wonder why children - and they are - join gangs or clubs - it is a sense of belonging. That need is so vital - we cannot underestimate the impact that a sense of belonging has on a human being - any human being - not just a child.
Children will seek affirmation from dangerous places if they do not feel that in their lives in other ways.
Add into the equation a busy home life - parent(s) working hard and not home very much. Surviving to keep up without the connection and conversation with their kids that reinforces the perception that they are indeed needed in a positive way.
We need to connect with the young people in our lives. Not just when we are frustrated. We need to affirm that they are loved and cared for.
Safe boundaries are very important and are required in many different ways. It is no longer - be home when the sun goes down - or for me - when the street lights come on. It is knowing where they are and who they are with. What activities will they be up to? Computer time - limits - both in time and content.
Children have more access to information than their grandparents had in a lifetime - in ONE day!
How well we adapt to change has an impact on the young people in our lives. This world is changing and changing fast. Does it mean it is all bad? No. We cannot adapt a pessimistic view.
We cannot also forget our agreement...you know the one. The one we agreed to when these wonderful children came into our lives. Yes it challenges us! Yes it can make us crazy! But do not forget - we chose it - on some level we did. So get over it and embrace it.
Change will happen with or without us - we cannot afford to be left behind. Our kids are depending on us!
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