Skills Every Child Should Learn in School

Teaching for the Future

Education has always been viewed as the cornerstone of society, shaping young minds and preparing them for the future – but in a rapidly changing world, are our schools keeping up?
As we rehash the same topics year after year, it’s worth asking: Is this dull for teachers and uninspiring for students?
What should children actually be learning in today’s schools, and how can we keep them truly engaged in their education?

Is Education Stuck in the Past?

For many students and teachers alike, the curriculum can feel stagnant, focusing on the same core subjects taught in the same way for decades. Maths, science, English, and history are, of course, vital components of a well-rounded education, but when these subjects are taught without innovation or relevance to the world outside the classroom, they can become tedious. Are we merely preparing students to pass exams, or should we aim to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a modern, fast-paced world?

The world has changed dramatically, yet the core of our educational system has remained largely unchanged. The skills required in the job market have evolved, new industries have emerged, and technology has transformed how we live and work. However, schools often lag behind, still focusing heavily on traditional subjects and methods.

What Should Children Be Learning in School Today?

If education is to truly prepare children for the future, we must broaden the scope of what we teach. Here are a few key areas that could be more prominently featured in the curriculum:

1. Financial Literacy
How many young adults leave school with a solid understanding of managing money, budgeting, saving, or investing? Financial literacy is a crucial life skill that is often overlooked in the classroom. Teaching children about money management, the dangers of debt, and the basics of investing would prepare them for real-world financial responsibilities.

2. Digital Skills and Cybersecurity
As the digital landscape continues to expand, proficiency in digital skills is becoming essential. Schools should be teaching coding, data literacy, digital communication, and cybersecurity from a young age. Understanding how to navigate and stay safe online is crucial in a world where technology is integrated into nearly every aspect of life.

3. Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health
Emotional intelligence is key to success both personally and professionally. Schools should prioritise teaching children how to manage emotions, resolve conflicts, and develop empathy and resilience. Additionally, mental health education is crucial, given the increasing pressures and challenges faced by today’s youth.

4. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Rather than memorising facts, students need to learn how to think critically and solve complex problems. Encouraging debate, analysis, and creative thinking can help develop these skills. Lessons should focus on real-world problems, allowing students to explore solutions in a meaningful and practical way.

5. Environmental Awareness and Sustainability
With climate change and environmental degradation posing significant threats to our future, it is essential to educate children about sustainability. Lessons should cover topics like renewable energy, conservation, and climate change, encouraging students to think critically about their impact on the planet and how they can contribute to a more sustainable future.

6. Social Justice and Global Citizenship
In an increasingly interconnected world, understanding different cultures, histories, and perspectives is vital. Schools should teach social justice, human rights, and global citizenship, encouraging students to think about their place in the world and how they can contribute positively to society.

7. Practical Life Skills
Beyond academics, schools should provide education on practical skills such as cooking, first aid, time management, and effective communication. These are the skills that help children navigate everyday life, foster independence, and build confidence.

Is Change and Progress Really Happening?

We often hear about the need for change in education, but is this progress actually happening? Many schools are still bound by rigid curriculums and traditional assessment methods. While there are pockets of innovation, the system as a whole is slow to adapt.

To move with the times, education must be more than just a series of reforms or add-ons to an existing framework. It requires a fundamental shift in how we think about teaching and learning. True progress means designing education that is flexible, adaptable, and responsive to the needs of both students and the world they are growing up in.

Keeping Children Engaged in Education

One of the biggest challenges in education today is keeping children engaged. Many students feel disconnected from what they are learning, seeing it as irrelevant to their lives. To truly engage students, we need to rethink both the content and delivery of education.

1. Make Learning Relevant
Connect lessons to real-life situations and current events to make them more meaningful. When students understand how what they are learning applies to the world around them, they are more likely to stay engaged. For example, linking maths to real-world problems like managing a budget or measuring ingredients in a recipe can make abstract concepts come alive.

2. Encourage Active Learning
Passive learning methods, such as listening to a teacher speak or reading textbooks, can quickly lead to disengagement. Instead, focus on active learning techniques like discussions, hands-on projects, and group work. Encourage students to ask questions, explore ideas, and engage in debates. This keeps the classroom dynamic and interactive.

3. Use Technology Wisely
Technology can be a powerful tool to enhance learning. Use apps, games, and digital tools to make lessons interactive and exciting. Virtual reality can transport students to historical sites or inside the human body, making lessons more vivid and memorable. However, it’s important to use technology thoughtfully and ensure it complements rather than replaces traditional learning methods.

4. Personalise Learning
Every child learns differently, and a one-size-fits-all approach often doesn’t work. Personalised learning allows students to progress at their own pace, following their own interests and strengths. Teachers can use data and insights to adapt lessons to meet the needs of each child, helping them stay motivated and engaged.

5. Promote a Growth Mindset
Encourage children to view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than obstacles to avoid. By fostering a growth mindset, teachers can help students develop resilience, confidence, and a love of learning that goes beyond the classroom.

Conclusion

It’s time to rethink what and how we teach. Education should be dynamic, engaging, and relevant to the world today, preparing children not just for exams, but for life. By incorporating a broader range of subjects, modernising teaching methods, and making learning more interactive and personalised, we can create an education system that truly meets the needs of our children and the challenges of the 21st century. Let’s move beyond the old way of doing things and create a brighter, more inspiring future for the next generation.

The author

Charlotte Camplejohn

Charlotte Camplejohn, BA, MA, is an experienced social scientist and researcher, with a background spanning health, education and social care. Charlotte has a particular interest in the field of children and families. Charlotte has worked in both the public and voluntary sector, with a particular focus on bridging the gap between operational activity and strategic planning. Charlotte has a background in delivering training to a broad range of professionals, applying for large funding pots on behalf of voluntary organisations and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. Charlotte is a mum of four, has over a decade of experience as a school governor and several years experience as Chair, and has written a parenting and lifestyle blog called Mummy Fever for the last decade.