Future skills: preparing our children for tomorrow’s world

Imagine a world where the jobs we know today no longer exist, replaced by roles yet unimaginable. A world where collective intelligence, creativity, mental agility, and ethics are the very foundations of success.

In a rapidly changing, interconnected, multicultural, and technologically advanced society, the challenges we face are complex, systemic, and sometimes uncertain.

To meet these challenges, our children will need far more than traditional academic knowledge. They must learn how to learn, collaborate, create, adapt, and also act with discernment.

Leading international educational organizations — the OECD, UNESCO, the World Economic Forum, and the P21 network — all agree on this point:

🎓 21st-century skills are transversal, human, social, technological, and global. They enable individuals not only to succeed but also to build a fairer, more sustainable, and inclusive world.

HUMAN SKILLS: THE HEART OF ALL TRANSFORMATION

In an increasingly automated world, deeply human qualities will make the difference.

• Emotional intelligence: understanding and managing emotions, developing empathy and kindness.

• Empathy: creating bonds with others, cooperating sensitively.

• Resilience: facing failure, bouncing back with confidence and courage.

• Creativity: generating new ideas, innovating to solve problems.

• Learning to learn: developing strategies for self-directed learning, reflection, organization, and intrinsic motivation.

• Self-management: regulating emotions, managing stress, maintaining focus and well-being.

  
  

SOCIAL SKILLS: THE FOUNDATION OF COLLABORATION

Knowing how to live and work with others becomes a fundamental skill.

• Clear and non-violent communication: expressing oneself authentically and respectfully.

• Active listening: truly understanding others beyond words.

• Intercultural collaboration: cooperating in multicultural environments with openness.

• Ethical leadership: inspiring, uniting, acting with integrity.

• Conflict resolution: finding fair solutions, understanding divergent viewpoints.

• Active citizenship: engaging in society, understanding rights and responsibilities.

• Global competencies: adopting an open worldview sensitive to diversity, inclusion, and international cooperation.

  
  

TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS: MASTERING THE TOOLS OF TOMORROW

Digital technology is everywhere. We must learn to understand it, master it, and use it responsibly.

• Digital literacy: using digital tools with critical thinking.

• Computational thinking: solving problems through programming.

• Data analysis: understanding and leveraging data for informed decision-making.

• Digital creation: producing content (video, audio, presentations, digital storytelling).

• Technological ethics: reflecting on the human, social, and environmental impact of technologies.

• Human-machine collaboration: learning to work smartly with AI and automated systems.

  
  

SYSTEMIC SKILLS: UNDERSTANDING A COMPLEX WORLD

Children must learn to think globally, connect ideas, and act sustainably.

• Critical thinking: questioning, comparing, challenging, discerning.

• Systems thinking: seeing interconnections between ecology, economy, and society.

• Complex problem solving: addressing situations with multiple variables and causes, finding sustainable solutions.

• Sustainability and green innovation: integrating environmental concerns into every choice.

• Cognitive agility: shifting perspectives, adapting strategies, showing mental flexibility.

  
  

🐝FREE LITTLE SCHOOL: THE EDUCATION OF THE FUTURE, TODAY

At FREE LITTLE SCHOOL, these skills are not mere theoretical concepts. They are at the core of our vibrant and inclusive pedagogy, accessible from the earliest age.

We incorporate:

• Collaborative projects to cooperate and innovate,

• Exchanges to learn argumentation, debate, and understanding,

• Real-world challenges linking ecology, technology, ethics, and action,

• Personalized learning paths to nurture autonomy and curiosity.

Our program continuously evolves thanks to ongoing pedagogical monitoring, international partnerships, and regular content updates to ensure an education truly oriented towards tomorrow.

🔍 FUTURE SKILLS – INTERNATIONAL REFERENCES

Domain	Key Skills
Human	Emotional intelligence, creativity, resilience, self-learning, self-management
Social	Communication, ethical leadership, intercultural cooperation, citizenship
Technological	Computational thinking, digital ethics, digital creation, AI
Systemic	Critical thinking, complex thinking, mental agility, sustainability