It has been more than 12 years now since the movie 3 Idiots was released, what had then felt like a defining moment of change, barely made only a slight impact on society’s mindset. The educational trajectory still goes something like pushing a child to choose a science stream after 10th grade & if not only commerce is seen as a viable option. Apart from becoming a doctor, engineer, banker, government employee, lawyer most other careers are seen as a gamble or as a path of huge risk. 

We live in an age of technology where people are making their living through the most unconventional means. Things that seemed downright redundant 10 years ago in terms of making money are all welcome in this age. To become successful one has to stay relevant & to stay relevant it is important to constantly update ourselves & inspire our kids to do the same. 

To ensure that our kids are smart we need to update our vocabulary around skill sets to acquire, a heavy emphasis on academic achievements solely, backfires in the long-term personality growth of the child. Here are some of the more unconventional skill sets to nurture in your child – 

Responsible use of social media: Love it or hate it you can not ignore it, at some point of time the child will be exposed to the huge online world, educate your child on how to use it as a resource rather than a distraction or time pass 

Social skills: Excessive competitiveness that is instilled during a young age can become a limitation once the individual reaches a professional environment where teamwork is key. 

Handling challenges: Children are never taught the skills of resilience, it is essential to see your child not as a vulnerable little thing but instead as a future adult who will have their ups & downs.

Communication: Clear communication is a very important skill set for interpersonal relationships as well as for putting across one’s ideas.

These are among the few basic skills that are important metrics of actual smartness in kids. To instill these qualities the parents need to take conscious actions. Parents have to be role models for these qualities. Sending children to skill development classes & practical internships are also great methods of the same.