S4.C1. Raising Thinkers: Preparing Our Children for Global Citizenship
As the world evolves at an unprecedented pace, the challenges our children will face are vastly different from those of previous generations. How can we support them in their journey?
SECTION 1 : THE THEME
Shaping the Future: Preparing Our Children for Global Citizenship
In today’s fast-changing world, preparing children for the future is no longer just about academic excellence or technical skills. As society becomes more interconnected and challenges grow more complex, the ability to think critically, adapt to change, and lead with empathy is becoming essential. This is the core of what it means to be a Global Citizen—an individual equipped with the mindset, resilience, and adaptability to navigate uncertainty and create meaningful impact.
In our upcoming talk show with parents, we aim to share insights from our journey in working with young minds, revealing the transformative power of mindset development. Through three compelling stories, we will illustrate how resilience, empathy, and adaptability shape a child’s future and, ultimately, define their ability to succeed in an unpredictable world. These real-life experiences will serve as a foundation for deeper discussions on what parents can do to prepare their children for the challenges ahead.
Story 1: Wybie – The Power of Resilience
Wybie is a determined young leader who faced a critical moment in his journey. At one point, he almost gave up on his leadership path, feeling overwhelmed by the challenges ahead. Understanding the importance of resilience in leadership, DAV79 conducted an experiment with him to reignite his motivation and help him push through adversity. The results were profound—Wybie not only overcame his doubts but emerged stronger, realizing that setbacks are stepping stones to greater achievements.
Key Takeaway: Resilience is crucial in leadership and life. Children must be equipped with the mental toughness to endure setbacks, learn from failures, and persist through difficulties. Without resilience, even the most talented individuals may struggle to achieve their full potential.
Story 2: JFP – Learning Empathy Through Action
JFP, a young Alpha Gen, discovered an important lesson about empathy through a simple yet powerful act. He worked hard to earn money and decided to use his earnings to buy his mother a Valentine’s cake when his father was unavailable. While this may seem like a small gesture, it demonstrated a deep understanding of others’ emotions and a willingness to take responsibility beyond himself.
In a world driven by competition and self-interest, empathy is often undervalued. Yet, as JFP’s story shows, it is a defining characteristic of strong, compassionate individuals. The ability to understand others, recognize their needs, and take action to support them is a key trait that will shape the future of leadership and collaboration.
Key Takeaway: Teaching children to step into others’ shoes and act with kindness prepares them to build stronger relationships and contribute positively to society. Empathy is not just about emotions—it’s about recognizing needs, taking initiative, and making thoughtful decisions that impact others.
Story 3: MIHF – Embracing Adaptability and Growth
MIHF, a young student from Singapore, initially struggled with direction in life. At 17, he began forging his own path, realizing that the deeper he engaged with life, the more he had to adapt, evolve, and embrace uncertainty. He was given the freedom to make his own choices, but he needed the mindset of adaptability to refine his approach in facing situations after making decisions. Learning how to adjust, reflect, and refine his actions helped him continuously improve and become more effective in navigating challenges.
Through this experience, MIHF learned that success is not about having a rigid plan but about being open to new opportunities, learning from different experiences, and developing the ability to pivot when necessary. His journey reflects a critical lesson for all young individuals: The world is not static, and neither should their mindset be.
Key Takeaway: Adaptability is key in an unpredictable world. Children must be encouraged to explore, experiment, and remain open-minded, rather than being pressured into a single, fixed path. The more adaptable they are, the more they can thrive in diverse environments and seize emerging opportunities.
The Critical Question for Parents to ponder
As we reflect on these stories, 3 fundamental questions arise. Please use # in your response to highlight key insights.
Are you a global citizen
How do you define a global citizen in the context of your child's future? (Feel free to share an open-ended response.)
What mindsets do you believe are essential for your child to thrive in the future?
CLUE : We invite parents to consider the following essential traits that will define the next generation of Global Citizens:
Resilience – The ability to push through failures, learn from adversity, and remain motivated even when facing setbacks.
Empathy – Understanding and caring for others, recognizing different perspectives, and taking meaningful action to create positive impact.
Adaptability – The capacity to embrace change, work with diverse people, and continuously evolve in response to new challenges.
Curiosity – A mindset of lifelong learning, where children actively seek knowledge, explore new ideas, and question existing norms.
and a few more…
what do you think - please leave your thoughts on the comment box.
SECTION 2 : THE DISCUSSION AGENDA
Duration: 60 minutes
Objective: Engage parents in an open discussion on resilience, empathy, and adaptability—key mindsets for their children’s future success.
1. Welcome & Objective (5 min)
Set the tone: Why mindset matters more than ever.
Emphasize interactive discussion—this is a shared learning experience.
2. Story Sharing & Reflection (15 min)
Wybie: Resilience—pushing through challenges.
JFP: Empathy—understanding and taking responsibility.
MIHF: Adaptability—making decisions and learning from them.
Discussion Prompt:
Have you seen similar struggles in your child?
How do you currently support them?
3. Parent Challenges & Insights (15 min)
What’s the biggest mindset challenge you see in your child?
What situations make you wonder if they are ready for the future?
Identify common themes (e.g., fear of failure, emotional struggles, lack of independence).
4. Brainstorming & Solutioning (15 min)
How can we help children develop these mindsets at home?
Parents share practical strategies—small but impactful changes.
Summarize key takeaways.
5. Wrap-Up (10 min)
What is one thing you will try at home starting today?
Closing thoughts: Building a supportive, mindset-driven parenting approach.
Encourage ongoing discussion and community engagement.
Possible Outcome:
We get to work on More Questions
Parents leave with awareness, practical strategies, and an action step to apply at home.
A stronger sense of direction in preparing children for the future.
To ensure better alignment, we kindly request that you read and, if possible, share your comments on a related earlier article :
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