For a long time I have been reading many different studies and scientific publications regarding who we will become in the future. What skills will be in demand on the labor market? I analyze, formulate hypotheses and then question them together with other experts with whom I have the honor and privilege to talk or cooperate. The Big Three Competencies clearly emerge: critical thinking, communication, emotional maturity. How to teach this our children? How to prepare generations and yourself for the changes of the 5.0 technological revolution? I’m talking about this with another phenomenal expert in the education of children and youth, a “Renaissance Woman”, an erudite and a kind person. Ladies and gentlemen may I present Edyta Plich.
Ania Modrzewska: Your 25 years of experience in educating children and teenagers gives you enormous knowledge and experience. What is no longer effective in education at this time, the 5.0 technological revolution, and what is currently most necessary and why?
Edyta Plich: What stopped working in education?
An outdated “encyclopedia” model.
In the era of instant access to information, learning facts by heart is no longer crucial. Traditional tests based on knowledge retrieval do not prepare students for a world that requires creativity and complex problem solving. Research in the “NOE” report by the Stocznia Foundation shows that Polish schools still pay too little attention to developing critical thinking and creativity skills.
Focus on results rather than well-being.
An education model based on constant assessment, competition and constant comparison negatively affects students’ mental health. Polish youth, according to PISA research, show one of the lowest rates of life satisfaction in Europe. In Scandinavian countries, where the emphasis is on the balance between learning and well-being, children perform better both at school and in life.
It is also necessary to move away from focusing on students’ mistakes and weaknesses towards individualizing education, which is based on developing their strengths. This approach not only builds self-confidence, but also increases commitment and internal motivation. Schools should identify each child’s talents and support them in their development, rather than striving for uniformity. This approach, according to the results of psychological research, allows for fuller use of students’ potential and strengthens their mental resilience and readiness to take on challenges.
How to support the development of young people?
The 5.0 technological revolution, connecting humans with technology based on artificial intelligence (AI), is changing the way we function, learn and work. The future requires not only adaptability, but also the ability to cooperate with machines and the skills that distinguish us as humans: creativity, empathy and critical thinking. To prepare young generations for these challenges, it is crucial to develop the competences of the future.
1.Emotional intelligence and social competences
In a world dominated by technology, the ability to build interpersonal relationships will become crucial. Prof. Rafał Ohme notes that the future will belong to people who can form strong social bonds – it is these bonds, not technology, that will be the measure of success. In her book “The Village Effect”, Susan Pinker shows how face-to-face interactions support mental and physical health, reduce stress, and increase resilience. That is why it is so important for schools and families to teach empathy, cooperation, and kindness – values that AI cannot replace.
2. Critical thinking and growth mindset
In the world of Revolution 5.0, young people will have to compete not only with other people, but also with advanced AI systems. The ability to analyze information, ask questions, and challenge the status quo will be extremely important. Miłosz Brzeziński emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset, in which mistakes are seen as lessons rather than failures. This mentality allows one to learn from every situation and continuously improve – a necessary trait in a changing world.
3. Adaptability and digital skills
The future will require young people to be able to adapt quickly to change. Adaptability will become a key competence, and knowledge of programming languages or the ability to use AI creatively – such as Chat GPT – will open up new career opportunities. Prof. Ohme emphasizes that digital natives must learn to “talk to machines” in order to work effectively with technology and fully exploit its potential.
Preparing young people for this reality requires support from both education and the family environment. Interpersonal relationships and a deep bond with other people remain the foundation on which we can build an innovative and harmonious future.
How to support the development of young people?
Building intrinsic motivation: Encourage children to explore their interests and discover passions that can drive their development. Create an environment where they can try new things without fear of failure, which will boost their confidence and willingness to learn.
Creating a supportive environment: At home and at school, it is important to appreciate the effort put in, not just the results. Research shows that children who feel listened to and accepted are better able to cope with challenges. A supportive environment encourages openness, initiative, and the building of relationships based on trust.
Developing daily habits: Help your child build good habits that promote a balance between learning, rest, and personal development. Encourage regular physical activity, socializing, and practices such as daily reading, planning the day, reflecting on achievements, and trying new things. All of this supports self-discipline and the development of skills necessary in a rapidly changing world.
Ania Modrzewska: Lots of people don’t read much and achieve success. They will probably ask: “Why is it worth reading?”
Edyta Plich: I think I have very strong arguments. Many people succeed without reading, but research shows that reading is much more important in development and achievement than you might think. First of all, reading for pleasure has a greater impact on educational success than social background. The results of the PISA study, which included 255,000 teenagers from 32 countries, showed that the impact of reading on the development of skills in vocabulary, spelling and mathematics is four times greater than the benefits of having a parent with a college degree (Sullivan and Brown, 2013).
Reading is also an investment in the future.
Reading supports key competencies of the future such as critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration. In a dynamically changing world, young people need these skills to function effectively in the labor market and in social life. By learning texts, we learn not only to acquire knowledge, but also to better understand ourselves and others. We enrich vocabulary, practice concentration, develop imagination and learn to solve problems.
Reading to children from the first days of life stimulates their cognitive, emotional and social development. Children who read regularly: have a richer vocabulary and can name emotions more easily, are better at learning and concentrating, and develop empathy and social skills.
Reading aloud to a child is also a time of closeness and relationship building – it gives a sense of security and strengthens the bond with the parent.
Although reading is often seen as a hobby, it is actually one of the most important life skills. Education is based on text – from textbooks to digital knowledge resources. Reading therefore becomes not only a way of learning, but also a tool for reducing social differences and building a conscious, democratic society.
A well-developed reading skill allows you to absorb information and draw conclusions from it. People who read regularly are more likely to engage in social and professional life, communicate better, and present their ideas.
Reading is not only an opportunity to personalize education, but also a way to develop passions and skills that stay with us for life. Let’s read – for ourselves, for our children, and for a better future.
Ania Modrzewska: What to read to children? What new publications will not bore children and parents after the first two pages?
Edyta Plich: To the question “What to read?” I recommend checking out the Alternative Reading List (ALL) – a project of our Edico Foundation, which offers books perfect for young readers. These are carefully selected titles that will interest both children and parents, and their diversity will meet the needs of preschoolers, teenagers and adults.
Here are some proven suggestions:
For preschoolers: What do feelings do? Tina Oziewicz
For grades 1–3: The One and Only Esther, Emma Adbage, Anton Bergman; The Cat Gang, Agata Romaniuk, Lampka, Annet Schaap
For grades 4-6: The Van Gogh Scam, Doron R.Hicks
For grades 7-8: The Book Burners, Marine Carteron, and Mike Andrew Norriss
For High School Students: The Candy War, Brandon Mull; The Snake King, Jeff Zentner; Normal People, Sally Rooney and for Ambitious Young People 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harri
For adults: the hit of recent months The Wonder Years by Valerie Perrin.
Each of these books is a guarantee of an interesting story and inspiring topics!
Edyta Plich
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