I watch how difficult it is for my two young adult sons to find their place in this world.
There is so much uncertainty around them. Climate change, conflicts, the cost of living, AI changing the world of work… And they are constantly exposed to all of it.
It makes me think about the students sitting in our classrooms today. How are they feeling about their future?
We spend a lot of time preparing young people for the future. But perhaps we also need to help them believe that they have a role in shaping that future.
Because if all they hear about are the problems, it’s very easy to feel powerless.
What I find interesting about Futures Thinking is that it doesn’t ignore the challenges. Instead, it gives young people opportunities to explore different possibilities, imagine alternatives and recognise that the future isn’t something that is simply going to happen to them.
I’d really love to hear from you as teachers: Do you see anxiety or uncertainty about the future in your students? And how do you address it in your classroom?
This is also the subject of our next free InTA masterclass with Elaine, “From Anxiety to Agency,” on Wednesday 7 October at 5 PM CET. Elaine will share a practical introduction to Futures Thinking and how we can use it with our students without adding yet another programme to an already crowded curriculum.
If this is something you’ve been thinking about too, I’d love to see you there. 🌱
@Elaine France
