Education is a basic right and helps kids learn how to think for themselves. It also gives them access to better jobs, a healthier life and more opportunities.
Children develop physically, socially and emotionally, in language and literacy and in their thinking (cognitive) skills. Teachers support them in all of these areas.
Education is a Right
Education is a universally recognized human right in the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, for many children around the world, this right remains a privilege. According to UNESCO data, 244 million children and youth of school-age worldwide were not in school in 2022.
Educating children is one of the best ways to empower them with the tools to escape poverty and become responsible citizens. It reduces inequalities, promotes individual freedom and empowerment and yields significant development benefits for societies as a whole.
Theirworld believes that governments must create plans to implement the right to education for all children, ensuring it is free and accessible without discrimination. They must also ensure that all schools meet international standards for safety, quality and inclusion. This includes providing access to early childhood care and education, as well as ensuring that all children have two years of pre-primary education. These initiatives are essential to empowering children with the skills and confidence they need for a brighter future.
Kids Need to Learn How to Think for Theirself
One of the most important skills that kids should learn is how to think for themselves. This is essential for them to be independent and avoid relying on others for all their decisions and answers. It also helps them be open to new ideas.
Teaching children how to think independently will help them adapt to new situations and continue learning throughout their lives. It will also prepare them to make informed choices and participate in civic life. It will also enable them to discern truth from falsehood and resist peer pressure.
Parents can play a crucial role in fostering this critical thinking ability by encouraging them to talk about what they see, read or hear. They can also encourage them to use the library and other resources to find out more information about their interests. They can also ask open-ended questions and provide them with opportunities to experiment and solve problems.
Kids Need to Learn About Different Cultures
Kids need to experience diverse cultures in order to learn how to embrace people with different beliefs and customs. They need to understand that despite differences, they have more similarities than differences. This will help them develop a global mindset, appreciate different traditions, and promote inclusivity for a more peaceful world.
Kids can learn about different cultures by reading books, watching videos, and visiting museums or cultural centers. They can also try new foods and activities, such as dancing or playing instruments.
It’s important to teach kids about cultural diversity at a young age, as children are receptive to new ideas and have a fresh perspective on the world around them. They can start by learning about their own culture and identifying the differences between it and other cultures. This way, they’ll become empathetic to others and have the ability to identify social injustices without bias. This will enable them to resolve global issues unanimously.
Kids Need to Learn How to Interact with Others
The most fundamental skills that kids learn are the social ones. This includes interacting with their peers, taking turns, and resolving conflicts peacefully. This helps them develop their emotional intelligence and makes it easier for them to build strong relationships with others.
This early interaction also helps improve their language and communication skills, which is crucial for later cognitive (thinking) development. They will start to be able to ask questions, think critically, and take risks in their learning, which is essential for their success later on.
The best way to help children build social and cognitive skills is to give them plenty of opportunities to interact with their peers. For example, they can learn how to cooperate with classmates in school activities and on the playground. They can also practice social-emotional skills by practicing manners like saying please and thank you and sharing toys with siblings. Then, they can expand these skills to include intellectual and physical tasks—such as clearing the dinner table with a sibling.