Photographs: Pexels
Text: Monika Pedersen
Education is about educating the whole child. This means teaching the academic programme, but equally important and, some may argue, even more consequential are teachings regarding the social, emotional, and soft skills needed to be a well-integrated, kind, thoughtful global citizen who can navigate a multinational and multicultural society.
These attributes and skills may be taught at home, but they need to be reflected in the daily practices and behaviour within the classroom, where children spend a large proportion of their day. Children do not absorb them purely by osmosis; they need to be highlighted and discussed through class dialogues, storytelling, and specially tailored activities so that a true understanding of their meaning is formed and etched in their minds.
Pastoral care
Pastoral programmes integrated into a school’s curriculum with allocated time are invaluable. It is a spiralling curriculum which is built upon year on year with topics appropriate to specific age groups. It also requires a passionate teacher with empathy and understanding, as it is not the same as teaching subject-focused material. It is usually the class teacher who is responsible for implementing the programme as s/he has the best overview of the individuals in the class and their needs and ways of being. Often, the time is insufficient, and other opportunities need to be sought to cover topics; however, it is the bedrock in supporting a child’s emotional growth. In an age where there is a lot of instability and uncertainty, building a child’s confidence and ability to self-advocate is essential. These are life skills that can help protect a child from anxiety, self-doubt, and manipulation and aim to promote good mental health.
"Life skills that can help protect a child from anxiety, self-doubt, and manipulation and aim to promote good mental health."
Random acts of kindness
A helpful avenue to support classroom work is the International Day for Radom Acts of Kindness, which is celebrated on 17 February.
The day, as described by sources, is ‘a day dedicated to show appreciation for those around us, notice those in need, give back to others, and pay it forward.’ It is a day where there is a focus on being kind, selfless, compassionate, helpful towards others, and not expecting anything in return. It is a day to raise an awareness that hopefully remains all year round and becomes a way of being.
To make it concrete for little children, specific activities are helpful to form their understanding, as words are not always truly absorbed or understood. Still, actions go a long way in cementing a deep understanding. It could be as simple as a smile at one another in class or a compliment without expecting one back. It could be holding a door open, lending a coloured pencil, and picking up an item dropped on the floor. Outside of the classroom, it could be a donation of clothes or no longer needed toys to a charity foundation or giving up a seat to an elderly or infirm person on public transport. It is a small act of kindness that is so easy, but the idea is that it brightens another person’s day and makes it a little easier or makes another person feel a little special and brings a smile to them. It is a means to foster a sense of community and caring for one another, which, in the bigger picture, builds a more pleasant and respectful society.
Reflections
In reality, the behaviours mentioned above were generally the norm, and for many people, they remain a common way of being. However, as the world diversifies and ‘bad actors’ create new and different norms that often seem to be unchallenged, often owing to the fear of retribution, it is imperative that ‘good old fashion decency and decorum’ is reiterated to children during their schooling, especially the younger generation, so that society does not disintegrate into wildness, and young people have a chance of a future in a hospitable world.