Raising Thinkers, Preparing Your Child For the Journey | Tremaine du Preez | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Learn how to raise critical thinkers by teaching decision making, questioning information, and developing problem-solving skills.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] TREMAINE DU PREEZ: There is my son. He will be 11 tomorrow. I promised him I would tell everyone that. Because normally, I just say he's 10. He will be 11 tomorrow. And I started out as a parent going, what is this operation, parenthood? What is expected of me? What do I want for my child in 20 or 30 years' time-- happiness, success... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🏫 There is a mismatch between the skills employers are looking for and what schools are teaching, with a greater emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• 🤔 Coaching conversations with children are essential for developing critical thinking from a young age.
• 👶 Helping children understand the reasons behind their decisions and the consequences of their actions is crucial for their growth.
• 👪 It is important for parents to create a safe space for children to question and make decisions, even in societies with limited freedom of expression.

Questions & Answers

Q: What skills are necessary for children in the future job market?

According to Du Preez, critical thinking, innovation and problem solving, emotional and social intelligence, adaptability, and resilience are key skills needed for future success.

Q: How can parents encourage critical thinking in anxious children or teenagers?

Du Preez suggests priming children by giving them choices and allowing them to make decisions from a young age. This helps them develop confidence and understand consequences.

Q: How can parents navigate teaching critical thinking to children in a society with limited freedom of expression?

Du Preez recommends understanding the boundaries of the society and teaching children how to question information within those boundaries. It's important to protect the child's safety while still promoting critical thinking within their immediate environment.

Q: How can parents raise critical thinkers without affecting their happiness in an illogical world?

Du Preez advises that individuals have the power to control their own happiness. By being aware of their own biases and frames of reference, individuals can make decisions that align with their own values and beliefs, even in an illogical world.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Tremaine Du Preez shares her journey as a parent and how she realized the importance of equipping her son with critical thinking and decision-making skills for the future.

• She discovered a mismatch between the skills employers are looking for and what schools are teaching, highlighting the need for critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills.

• Du Preez emphasizes the importance of coaching conversations with children to guide their decision-making processes from a young age.