Skills for holistic development
Research suggests that playful learning experiences appear to be a particularly effective way of developing these broad, dynamic and interconnected skills. These five skills of holistic development are essential to children’s positive development – and the skills most needed to successfully navigate and thrive in an uncertain and ever changing world.
The five skills
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By having great cognitive skills, we are able to learn how to solve complex tasks in our life – no matter if they are related to situations at school, work, or in our private life.
Examples of cognitive skills are:
Concentration, problem solving, working memory and flexible thinking. Learning to tackle complex tasks and building effective strategies to identify solutions.
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By having strong creative skills, we can come up with new solutions to problems that the world of tomorrow will face. Creative skills support our openness to new experiences and help us transform ideas in meaningful ways.
Examples of creative skills are:
Coming up with ideas, expressing them and transforming them into reality, being ok with ambiguity, exploring possibilities, evaluating ideas, identifying the best solution.
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By having strong physical skills, we exercise our minds and bodies to maintain wellbeing towards a successful life.
Examples of physical skills are:
Being physically active, understanding movement and space through practicing sensory-motor skills, developing spatial understanding and nurturing an active and healthy body.
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By having great social skills, we are empowered to be strong collaborators and communicators. Social skills also allow us to have healthy relationships with family and friends.
Examples of social skills are:
Collaboration, communication and perspective-taking. Sharing ideas, negotiating rules and building empathy.
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By having strong emotional skills, we are better able to tackle challenges in everyday life and relate in important ways to our family and friends.
Examples of emotional skills are:
Understand, manage and express emotions by building self-awareness and handling impulses. Staying motivated and confident in the face of difficulties.