7 Steps to Raise a Future-Ready Teen in the AI Age
Written by Neha Mital
Estimated reading time: 3 mins
Any founder would vouch for the intense journey that entrepreneurship brings. More so, if your are trying to build an entirely new category. Enriching, thrilling and exhausting.
And yes, it is life altering, period!
Thankfully its filled with experiences that bring out the best in you. Moments that fill your heart and stretch your mind. And as the old adage goes “once a mind is stretched by a new idea, it can never go back to it’s original dimension.”
It is also an exciting time to be an ‘edupreneur’.
With the onset of Ai, education is in desperate need for reinvention of archaic systems and methods, using technology for more efficient and smart solutions that equip our children for the future.
I recently attended a webinar by Ivy Xu, a location-independent entrepreneur and career coach, passionate about helping kids develop a growth mindset and a love of learning. Ivy is the founder of Prequel, a forum of over 200,000 parents, teaching kids the growth skills and life skills they need to them ahead in school and life.
Her words resonated immediately, but in a completely new light. Her ideas on encouraging exploration and building a network of mentors for our kids, is pure gold.
Here are a few actionable steps that I learnt as a parent from Ivy Xu’s webinar.
1. Ignite the Spark:
Every child possesses a unique spark of curiosity. Our role as parents is to identify and nurture it. And create a safe and supportive environment where our children feel free to explore their passion without fear of judgment.
2. Break Free from the Mould:
Challenge conventional wisdom and encourage your child to dream big. Unusual passions can lead to extraordinary careers. Celebrate their unique perspectives and support their unconventional aspirations.
3. Embrace the Exploration:
Let children try new things, explore, experiment, make mistakes, and learn from their experiences. This helps them discover their true passions and develop a growth mindset.
4. Be a Guiding Star:
Offer guidance, support, and encouragement as your child embarks on their journey of self-discovery. Your belief in their abilities can be a very powerful motivator. But as parents, we should also keep a check on our own fears, assumptions and failings.
5. Embrace the Digital Age:
The digital world offers countless opportunities for growth and development. Utilise online resources, tools, and platforms to support your child's learning and exploration.
6. Build a Network of Mentors:
Connect your child with experts in their field to provide guidance, mentorship, and real-world experience. A network of mentors can significantly impact their journey.
7. Embrace Failure as a Teacher:
Teach your child that failure is a natural part of the learning process. Encourage them to view mistakes as opportunities for growth and development.
These key lessons can help children develop a strong foundation for a fulfilling and successful future. It has always been my belief that cultivating curiosity, imagination and authenticity is way more important than just a STEM based education. Because when we encourage and nurture curiosity and authenticity, a child can apply it in everything they do- it becomes a way of life.
Ai is undoubtedly changing the world once again, just like the start of internet did. Now it’s no longer important to just access and learn information but focus on harnessing our unique perspective, be more human than ever and apply it into newer applications.
It is a time to stand out from the crowd than fit in.
Cheers, to new ways of learning!
#infinitelearning #holisticdevelopment #raisingteens #futureready #selfawareness