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Introducing Ask Amy | A BLOG for Inspiration & Information

"If you would like to discuss all things concerning parenting and academics, please send me an email with a question or comment by clicking on the Ask Amy button below."

Amy Reed-Ferguson is an Early Childhood Educator and

PBS KIDS Early Learning Champion 2021.

As an unschooling mom of two grown children and a life-long learner, Amy has many interests (from sewing to Permaculture), life experiences, and a strong desire to facilitate exploration and learning. She has a deeply held belief that people learn when they are intrigued, are with others who are passionate, and are able to have the freedom and time to “peel” through the layers of a subject. As a PBS KIDS Early Learning Champion, Amy partners with PBS KIDS and KBTC Public Television to help support families in their educational journeys because parents are a child's first teacher, and they should feel empowered to engage in their children’s life-long learning.

In today's rapidly changing world, adaptability has become an essential skill for school and career success. As a parent, it is important to understand the significance of adaptability and how you can help your children develop this critical 21st-century skill.


Adaptability refers to the ability to adjust to new situation, think creatively and solve problems effectively

In the 21st century, the rate of change is faster than ever before, with new technologies, social and economic shifts, and global events impacting our lives on a regular basis. This means that adaptability is no longer a "nice to have" skill, but rather a necessity.

Children who possess strong adaptability skills are better equipped to handle the challenges and uncertainties of the future. They are more resilient, able to bounce back from setbacks and failures, and are better able to navigate the complexities of an ever-changing world, both inside the classroom and out.


How can parents help their children develop adaptability? Here are a few tips:

  1. Encourage problem-solving: Encourage your child to think creatively and come up with new solutions to problems. When they encounter a challenge, ask them to brainstorm different ways to approach the situation and evaluate the pros and cons of each solution.

  2. Embrace Challenge: Help your child understand that change is a natural part of life and that can often lead to new opportunities and growth. Model a positive attitude towards change and encourage your child to be open-minded and flexible.

  3. Foster resilience: Teach your child to bounce back from setbacks and failures by encouraging them to learn from their mistakes and focus on the lessons they have learned. Help them to build their self-confidence and remind them that they can overcome challenges with hard work and determination.

  4. Strengthen Curiosity: Encourage your child to explore new ideas and perspectives. Ask them questions that challenge their assumptions and encourage them to be curious about the world around them.

In summary, adaptability is a critical 21st-century skill that can help your child thrive in a rapidly changing world. By encouraging problem-solving, embracing change, fostering resilience, and strengthening curiosity, you can help your child develop this important skill and set them up for success at school and in the future.


Adaptability is a critical 21st-century skill!



Think Critically and Creatively

Problem-Solving is a vital for success in the 21st century because it helps individuals to think critically and creatively, and to develop solutions to complex challenges. In today's rapidly changing world, the ability to solve problems is essential for success in a wide range of contexts, including the workplace, education, and personal and professional relationship.


Success in School

Problem-Solving skills are important for success because students to apply what they have learned to new situations, as well as understand and analyze complex information, and develop creative and innovative solutions to problems. These skills are essential for success in school and in the future careers, and can also help students to become lifelong learners.


Success in the Workplace

Problem-Solving skills are valuable because they enable individuals to identify and address issues and challenges as they arise. They can help employees to be more effective and efficient in their jobs, and to contribute to the success of their organizations. This can lead to increased productivity and success in their professional life.


Personal and Professional Relationships

Problem-Solving skills can help children resolve conflicts and find mutually beneficial solutions. They can help children and adults navigate complex social and professional environments, and to build and maintain strong relationships.



Encourage your child to practice their problem-solving skills by challenging them to solve problems in their everyday life, and by encouraging them to think critically and creatively about the challenges they encounter. You might also consider enrolling them in activities or classes that can help them to develop their problem-solving skills further.


By building your children's problem-solving skills now, you can help set them up for success in the 21st century.






"Communication" is the first piece in an 8-part series about the skills children should develop now to be successful in the 21st century! Next month we will discuss "Problem-Solving".


Effective communication is a vital skill for success in the 21st century for several reasons.

It is a key component of personal and professional relationships.

In today's interconnected world, our children will rely on strong communication skills to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, to share ideas and collaborate on projects, and to resolve conflicts. These skills will be especially important in the workplace, where the ability to communicate clearly and effectively can make a big difference in their success and advancement.

Effective communication is essential for success in a wide range of contexts, including the workplace and education.

Good communication skills help your child to understand and retain new information, as well as to articulate their thoughts and ideas in a clear and concise manner. These skills are essential for success in school, and will also be valuable in their future careers.

In the workplace, strong communication skills can help be more effective in their jobs, by enabling them to collaborate with colleagues, present ideas effectively, and persuade others to support their initiatives.

Strong communication skills can help your child to make a positive impact in their social and community settings.

They will be able to build and maintain relationships with others, and to advocate for causes in which they believe. In a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected and globalized, the ability to communicate effectively across cultural divides will be especially important. In social and community settings, effective communication is key to building and maintaining relationships, and can help kids advocate for important causes and to contribute to positive social change.


Encourage them to practice these skills in their everyday interaction, and consider enrolling them in activities or classes that can help them to develop their communication skills further.


Overall, teaching your child good communication skills is an investment in their future success.




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