Summary
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Connectedness
Definition of the skill Connectedness is the ability to recognize and engage with the broader community, both locally and globally. It goes beyond sociability and collegiality, embracing a sense of shared humanity and responsibility. This interconnectedness is shaped by relationships through communication, travel, migration, trade, and political systems. On a cognitive level, connectedness involves understanding global, regional, national, and local issues, while recognizing the interdependence of different countries and populations. Socio-emotionally, it involves empathy, solidarity, and respect for diversity. Behaviorally, it means taking actions that promote peace, sustainability, and social cohesion, fostering environments where people care for one another. Complexity…
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Empathy
Definition of the skill Empathy is the ability to understand and share the emotions and viewpoints of others, putting oneself in their shoes both emotionally and cognitively. This skill is at the heart of interpersonal relationships and lays the foundation for creating a more harmonious and cooperative society. Empathy has two key dimensions: Emotional empathy, which refers to the capacity to feel what others feel and respond with appropriate emotions.Cognitive empathy, which involves understanding another person’s perspective or mental state without necessarily sharing their emotions. Both aspects are essential for children as they navigate complex social interactions in their personal…
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Curiosity, sense of wonder and openness
Definition of the skill Curiosity, sense of wonder and openness form a foundational skill that drives a desire to explore, learn, and understand the world. This skill represents a mindset of active interest and enthusiasm in experiencing new things, asking questions, and staying open to diverse perspectives. It is the inclination to approach situations with eagerness to learn rather than judgement, paired with an open heart and mind. This skill enables children to discover, appreciate, and reflect upon the uniqueness and complexity around them, fostering a lasting love for learning and discovery. Complexity of the skill Creativity and the inner…
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Flexibility
Definition of the skill Flexibility is the ability to adapt to new situations and changes. It is the willingness to change. It involves being open to different ideas, adjusting to unexpected events, and finding new ways to solve problems. Flexibility is important because life is constantly changing, and being flexible allows us to cope with challenges in a calm and effective way. It’s not just about accepting change, but also being able to adjust our thoughts, emotions, and actions to meet new demands or circumstances, whether they are in our personal life, work or social environment. Flexibility helps us move forward…
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Resilience
Definition of the skill Resilience is the ability to adapt to challenges through mental, emotional, and behavioural flexibility. It is not just a personal trait but arises from the interaction between individuals and their environment, like family, community, and society. Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioural flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands. A number of factors contribute to how well people adapt to adversities, including the ways in which individuals view and engage with the world, the availability and quality of social resources,…
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Valuing people and nature
Definition of the skill Valuing People and Nature is the skill of recognising the intrinsic worth of both human beings and the natural environment. This involves understanding the interconnectedness between human well-being and the health of the planet. It includes a conceptual and procedural grasp of sustainable development as essential for a thriving future. This skill promotes respect for ecosystems, responsible resource use, and a balanced relationship between people and nature, which are crucial for long-term sustainability and societal well-being. Beyond awareness, valuing people and nature requires taking responsibility and transforming values into concrete actions that nurture and protect both…
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Critical thinking
Definition of the skill Critical thinking is the ability to reason objectively and logically, analyse and evaluate information, consider different perspectives and draw conclusions based on evidence and logic. It enables us to evaluate and assess information in an objective and systematic way. Complexity of the skill Critically examine, analyse and evaluate information – children learn to examine new information and ideas, analyze them without pre-judgement, and form conclusions rather than just remembering facts. Thinking independently and creatively about complex problems and issues, challenge assumptions, fostering independent thought. . Evaluation of sources and questioning assumptions: Assessing the credibility of sources and…
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Problem-solving
Definition of the skill The problem-solving process involves finding a solution to a problem by following several steps in a systematic way (= procedures or strategies). This is a structured approach to identify a problem, analyse it, and find and implement an effective solution. This skill typically transcends single disciplines and can be applied in different contexts. This skill involves critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to work through obstacles systematically. Problem-solving also requires adaptability, as not all solutions may work as expected, leading to adjustments and further exploration of alternatives. Complexity of the skill Emotional awareness, and communication – children…
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Creativity
Definition of the skill Creativity is the capacity to reinterpret, combine, or expand upon existing conventions to generate ideas or approaches that are both novel and valuable. It involves combining existing knowledge, experiences, and perspectives in innovative ways to solve problems, create art, design products, or develop solutions. Creativity is often the result of collaboration, feedback, and iteration. Complexity of the skill Imaginative Thinking – Children engage in role-playing, storytelling, creating stories, characters, and make-believe scenarios. Open-Ended Exploration – Using materials in different ways (e.g., turning a box into a spaceship). Artistic Expression – Drawing, painting, sculpting, and crafting allow…
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Emotional awareness, regulation and communication
Definition of the Skill Developing emotional competence is a cornerstone of promoting the well-being of children and adults. Emotional competences are broad and multifaceted, encompassing three key aspects: emotional awareness, emotion regulation, and communication of emotions. Emotional awareness is the ability to recognize and identify one’s own emotions and those of others, involving understanding personal feelings and associating them with specific experiences. Emotion regulation refers to managing emotions appropriately and productively, rather than reacting impulsively, teaching children to calm themselves, express frustration constructively, and deal with intense emotions like anger or sadness positively. Communication of emotions involves expressing feelings clearly…