The global marketplace is expanding at a phenomenal rate. Yet, the American education system is moving at the pace of molasses to meet the ever-changing needs.
Presently, the United States sits at the top rank of the world’s economy, but it isn’t a comfortable position. By 2020, everything may change – emerging markets are set to become a pivotal part of global economics, and China is on track to tackle the US and take the top spot from our fumbling hands.
What does all of this mean?
It means that if our education system doesn’t change with the times, our children will no longer have the ability to compete with the strength we once had in the global market.
1. Competition will be stronger
2. The dollar will be weaker
3. Unemployment will be higher
But what can we do about it?
Educate, educate, educate.
Until something is done about the American school systems, nothing will change. But rather than wait on public policy (which usually takes years if not decades to change), smart parents can take their child’s education into their own hands.
This doesn’t necessarily mean home school, at least not in the strictest sense of the word. A supplement to organized education could give tomorrow’s leaders the foothold needed to succeed today. This isn’t as hard as it sounds, and could offer your child the edge they need to hold their own as financial and geographical boundaries continue to bleed into each other.
Here is a quick look at the areas where our children need the most reinforcement in order to become successful competitors in the global economy.
1. Free thinking
The US education system does not encourage free thinking. We teach that there is only ONE way to skin a cat – exactly the sort of thinking preventing students from truly excelling. Many parents have recognized this problem and have started taking their student’s education into their own hands.
It is many of those students who are proving to be the forward-thinkers American entrepreneurism desperately needs.
Sandi Krakowski, a millionaire mompreneur, has successfully home-schooled three boys. Her youngest has become a wunderkind businessman because of it. Tomorrow’s entrepreneurs will be the kids who learn to think freely, and look outside the box for global solutions to international business problems so they can create the business models of the future.
2. Creativity
The US education system is working hard to stomp out creativity. Students in the classroom aren’t encouraged to think “differently” or to be unique. Teachers are working so hard to spoon-feed answers and teach rote memorization, rather than teaching creative problem solving and concept mastery. This means students are busy memorizing without understanding.
This isn’t the teachers’ fault, but it is evidence of the broken system they’re required to run. Supplemental homeschooling will give your student additional opportunities to learn and grow beyond the SmartBoard. Their new creative skills will serve them well when it comes to future business.
Being able to solve global market problems in new and innovative ways will give your child an edge above the ever-increasing global competition.
3. Expertise
The US education system wants “well-rounded” students who do well in many areas, but prevent them from becoming a true expert in any. Even undergrad college level education pushes the “Jack of all trades” mindset. Yet those students who find their niche early, then master it, are the ones who often become most successful.
Think about it, do you want a well-rounded doctor, or a doctor who knows everything there is to know about his field? Pliability is an ingredient to success, but it’s niche-specific mastery that makes you better than your competition. In international schools, children are tested early to know where their true talents may lie. Then, they are directed to those courses that are most suited for them. These are the cultures who successfully groom their children for entrepreneurism. And it’s those children who are best prepared for the new global economy.
By grooming your child to think freely, to be creative and to drive them toward one field with a supplemental homeschooling education, you can prepare themto love learning, excel in one area, and compete in the global market in a way that makes them invaluable to those seeking the precision of their skill set.
How to provide supplemental homeschooling without exhausting yourself or your child
1. Make learning an every moment activity. You don’t have to create worksheets, labs or hands-on activities for every day (although, one day a week may be enough). Look for ways to turn even the ordinary into a chance to learn.
2. Talk to your child. Discuss topics and get them thinking. Let them solve problems on their own and accept their solutions to the problem without voicing your own restrictions on how they should do it.
3. Encourage hobbies (and even entrepreneurism) in their areas of interest. Encourage your child to stick with them until the end. And don’t promote multiple activities. Constantly changing hobbies and activities is part of the Jack of All Trades ideology and won’t lead to niche-mastery.
Help your child to focus, think freely and to be creative and you’ll hand him the keys to the future world market.
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