No Child Left Unkind
A big part of today’s educational focus is on test outcomes and other quantifiable results. But what about the ways we teach our kids that can’t be measured with a No. 2 pencil? Ashoka’s Activating Empathy competition is on the hunt for the most effective ways to teach our kids to see through others’ eyes.
Why We Love It!
By supporting curiosity, cultural sensitivity, effective communication and conflict resolution, we can build a more valuable and dynamic society for ourselves. And by focusing on our youngest leaders, Ashoka is demonstrating their commitment to laying the building blocks for a transformational future.
Social Studies
The value of teaching children to be curious, creative and constructive rather than passive can hardly be overstated. Bullying, difficulty understanding or examining problems, and a lack of respect for difference are issues that can all be mitigated by encouraging the validity of the perspectives of many rather than simply a few.
Despite the slightly competitive nature of the challenge, Activating Empathy is a collaborative project aimed to find the best ideas, programs, and learning-models that will help children see different perspectives. You’ve heard the phrase “walk a mile in their shoes?” Well, that’s what empathy is all about. It’s a lifelong skill that not only nips bullying in the bud—but also sticks around long after the school bell has rung.
Want to have a say in which products made the grade? Voting begins on the 2012 entries next month, but you can check out the contenders here.
