How many of us have had the luxury of being taught socio-emotional skills in a classroom setting? For many students of results-based learning honing these skills is left to real world experiences. Particularly in Hong Kong, although many of its students go on to become successful and wealthy, how many actually have a capacity for empathy, and are able to create deep human connections with others?
Schools in Finland and, in this article’s case, Qatar put that at the forefront of their ethos. Catering to toddlers and pre-school children, these curricula allow students safe environments not only to learn about the world around them, but the important social skills needed to function effectively when interacting with others. Although it can be argued that this can only happen in high quality individualized learning scenarios, the goal of education is to teach both the mind and the heart to produce humane, productive and socially responsible global citizens.
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.