Will Our New Generation of Kids Help Make A Better Planet?

Education is important to help kids navigate today’s issues

This article comes courtesy of a show-and-tell presentation I watched while working at a school recently.

Back when I was a kid, show-and-tell was a big deal. I remember showing off an intricately made hand-made purse.

Today, show-and-tell is still an much anticipated activity for younger kids.

One morning, just after lunch, a tall kid walked boldly to the front board, and wrote off an equation that contained n’s, x’s, brackets and an equation worthy of Einstein. Apparently, the child created the own equation himself to map out a gradient. Very cool and amazing for a child of his age.

But is that really crazy or a norm for kids who are so brainy at such a young age?

Turns out that researchers say kids’ IQ’s are increasing because they have learned from previous generations. According to the Flynn Effect, with every new generation, the average intelligence of kids increases exponentially.

Years ago, when cellphones were just making the market, I laughed when I saw a little kid ask her parents for a Blackberry! Back then, cellphones were the domain for adults and over the years, these electronic devices are now fair game for everyone.

If today’s youth are more saavy, it’s that they are more connected to the Internet, computers and other devices.

Not too long ago, the teacher advised the Grade 5 class to make a video of the solar system using Canva. As an education assistant, I watched many of these children eagerly take to this exercise with eagerness, and very few asked for help. They figured out independently how to add font, edit, and include a video inside a video. There seems nothing kids can’t do these days. Except drive a car!

One article points out that today’s youth is more tolerant and open-minded. Nowadays, many school libraries stock books of diverse ethnic characters. Kids also see movies that have a fair amount of diverse actors featuring in prominent roles.

We all have to remember that today’s kids are tomorrow’s leaders. Kids who enjoy reading, and studying computers may well help change the world — hopefully for the better.

We all can remember Elon Musk, the creator behind the electric car, Tesla, and the owner of X, former Twitter, and the founder of SpaceX, was once a kid that liked to read books — lots of books. His favorite author included the Sci-Fi writer Issac Isimov, and he liked to read the Lord of the Rings.

If we want to change a more positive future, some educators support teaching kids to embrace peace-making skills. There are also books about peace that provide kids with some ideas to adopt when sorting out their problems.

One parent blog advocates how parents can teach their kids to be more compassionate and caring.

Here’s hoping that kids who experience a wholistic approach to learning, which embrace technology, compassion and kindness may grow up to become a responsible citizen.

So if your kids show a fascination for tech at an early age. Encourage him or her. Kids will one day need to think critically and that allows them to grow up and perhaps help find solutions to environmental issues, such as climate change, resource depletion, and pollution.

In fact, some smart kids don’t even have to wait to grow up to make an impact.

Greta Thunberg took an interest in climate change at the age of 8 years old and voiced her opinion that she didn’t understand why enough was not done about it. At age 15, Thunberg began skipping school to protest against climate change inaction. Her actions later helped influence student strikes around the world.

Elsewhere, some saavy kids took on the establishment and won.

In August, some kids sued Montana over climate change and won during a recent court case.

Here’s hoping this case will get the grown-ups to stop poluting and taking more concern over climate change.

I am saddened that today’s kids are growing up in a world that is far different that what it was for us when we were growing up. I never grew up with so many months of drought and reports of ice caps melting.

Experts say climate change requires action at all levels of government. As regular folks, we can individually drill local and national politicians to find out their policies on climate change, and vote for the one who is more environmentally friendly. Better yet, join some environmental groups like Greenpeace and get involved. Lest we have more smart kids suing the courts for inaction on climate change.

It’s too bad young Greta couldn’t grow up normally without worrying about climate change and all the problems it entails. She’s doing her part to help bring awareness and reverse the damages being done. What are we doing? Do we not have a duty ourselves to help protect the environment? I think we can do our part by trying out best to reduce carbon emissions, and buying an electric car may be a good option. Stay tuned for more ideas like this.

That’s all for now.

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Here’s my recent articles:

1. Environmental Advocacy: Intellectually gifted individuals are often passionate and well-informed about global issues, including environmental concerns. Smart kids may become advocates for environmental conservation, leading initiatives to raise awareness, promote sustainable practices, and influence positive change in their communities.
2. Technological Advancements: The digital era requires individuals who are adept at navigating and leveraging technology. Smart kids, with their quick learning abilities, can play a significant role in developing and implementing advanced technologies that contribute to environmental monitoring, conservation efforts, and the development of clean energy solutions.
3. Educational Leadership: As future leaders, intellectually gifted individuals may choose careers in education. By becoming teachers, professors, or educational policymakers, they can shape curricula that emphasize environmental education, sustainability, and ecological awareness. This educational influence can create a generation of environmentally conscious citizens.
4. Global Collaboration: Smart kids, with their global perspectives and understanding of interconnected issues, are well-positioned to engage in international collaborations. Working across borders, they can contribute to global efforts aimed at addressing environmental challenges through research, policy development, and collaborative projects.
5. Policy and Governance: Intellectual prowess often leads to influential positions in government and policymaking. Smart individuals can play a vital role in shaping environmental policies, advocating for regulations that promote sustainability, and ensuring that governments prioritize environmental concerns in their decision-making processes.
6. Entrepreneurship for Good: Smart kids may become entrepreneurs with a focus on environmentally friendly businesses. Their business acumen can lead to the development of sustainable products, services, and business models that prioritize environmental conservation, circular economy principles, and social responsibility.

Conclusions:

We must focus on our children who could be the leaders of tomorrow. In this time of climate change, wars, financial uncertainties, we need our young people to become equipped to deal with these issues.

People like Elon Musk and others like him, loved to read and study as a youth. We must encourage our children to embrace technology with a passion, and use their creativity as a problem-solving option.