Helping Youngsters Prepare for the Future

/ Khalique & Joe's 2025 Columns & Other Publications / , , , / 0 Comments

The following column originally was published in a number of APG of East Central Mn newspapers during May, 2025 including the SunCurrent, Sun This Week,  Press&News,  Sun Post, Sun Sailor, MilleLacs Messenger, Morrison County Record,  and  Union Times,

 

Helping Youngsters prepare for the future

 

A new national poll reminds me of one of the most important roles that adults play: Helping young people prepare for the future. Though we face uncertainty, national award-winning journalists David Brooks and John Merrow have helpful advice.

Brooks has written: “Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so.”

Unexpected, unpredictable things can and have happened to each of us. Nevertheless, one of the important things we can do as adults is both say and model a belief in positive possibilities.

Part of an optimistic worldview comes the top-rated skill in a poll of about 1,900 educators, conducted by the non-partisan, respected Education Week publication. When asked: “Which skill is most important for students entering the workforce?”, 73% responded, “Adaptability.”

Though it hasn’t always been easy, adaptability has been vital in my life. It’s certainly not the only valuable skill. But speaking personally, I’ve had to rebound from:

  • Obtaining some but not all of the jobs I hoped for.
  • Receiving some but not all grants I applied for.
  • Dealing with some terrific and not-so-great bosses.
  • Finding myself in fulfilling and sometimes difficult work situations.

Many of us could compile a similar list. The most successful people celebrate progress and success, but don’t let disappointments overwhelm them.

So what can we do to help youngsters become more adaptable? Here are a few things:

  • Discuss your response to things that went well, and how you rebounded from disappointments.
  • Include youngsters in plans for the summer. Help them identify key things that need to be done. And help them develop contingency plans. For example, what might you do on a camping trip if it’s sunny, too hot, or it rains? What will youngsters do if they earn a certain amount via a summer job? What will they do if a summer job produces 50%, or 150% of what they hope?

This leads to excellent advice from educator and national award-winning reporter John Merrow. He’s written “Instead of asking, ‘How smart are you?’, we should be asking, ‘How are you smart?’”

Merrow urges us to help youngsters find out what they are good at, what they enjoy, and help them develop those skills and interests.

As Minnesota students prepare to take statewide tests, Merrow’s advice is timely. Yes, we want everyone to have basic reading, writing and math skills. But we need to recognize some youngsters will be far better than others at “hands-on” activities like auto-mechanics, welding or carpentry or a thousand other applied skills not measured by standardized tests.

So – the best approaches to help young people prepare for the future include:

  • Identifying and developing a youngster’s interests, skills and talents.
  • Modeling and stressing that it is possible to make progress.
  • Recognizing that unexpected things will happen, and it’s vital to be adaptable.

Joe Nathan, PhD has been a Minnesota public school educator, PTA president and researcher. He founded and directed the Center for School Change. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org