How many of us have learnt the skill of gauging ourselves like we gauge others? If we were to grade ourselves for our life skills, our report cards would be a grade C with a remark that would say ‘can do better’.
There have been several incidents in human history where humans have had to adapt to skills unknown to its previous generation. Our foragers had the skills of hunting, gathering, starting a fire, woodworking and so many more. But they surely couldn’t code as we do. Centuries passed, climates changed (because of humans, of course) and man was asked to adapt again and so man learnt farming. Man learnt to farm and learnt to use its spine in numerous ways. And when farming posed no new innovations, man discovered science and math and technology. Humans have come so far but what our race has always retained are art and language. Language aids us in conversations but art, it’s a whole new different game.
Nothing brings people together like art does. Art in its purest form can develop connections between two people of any age or background that will make them feel their liveliest. To achieve inclusion and make skills accessible to students of all backgrounds, our most reliable tool is art.
For example, erupt dance sessions before any training programs or corporate workshops work wonders in easing people up. If adults can benefit, imagine the benefits such sessions will have on students. Erupt dance sessions help draw out the negative energy from the body and help people break out of their comfort zones. Another example is art therapy sessions. These sessions help the creativity flowing through the brain and cleans up the mental space to grasp new concepts easily.
So when teaching teamwork, take support of art. Design an activity where a group of children have to come up with a drawing or painting or a choreography. You will be surprised by the magic unveiling in front of your eyes.
Art has the ability to dive deep into a human’s mind. Remember from the movie Taare Zameen Par, how Ram Shankar Nikumbh communicated to Ishaan that he understands all the struggles Ishaan is going through; and all through art. This proves that art makes one of life’s most important skills – communication – a lot easier to get a hold of. Also, recall how art made Ishaan express himself efficiently. That’s how activities involving art makes one self-aware of their feelings and emotions. Art helps to communicate and express better. It’s no wonder that art-based therapy is widely used to help people with mental health issues.
So while coding is the new cool, it’s the life skills (like communication, emotional awareness, teamwork) that are of utmost necessity. Because when AI’s algorithms fail to offer a shoulder, a human has to intervene. A human’s intervention is beneficial as long as it comes with a no-judgement tag. Art helps in achieving this tag. With art, you can bring people together and spur a revolutionary movement. A movement where people communicate, listen, empathize, create, inspire, develop trust, think critically and become decisive. And if these are not life skills, then what are?
Inclusion for all comes by imparting life skills to children from all backgrounds alike under one roof. Inclusivity through life skills will help the human race shift its attention from a capitalistic life towards one that’s emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and socially content.
Skills are inclusive of all; skills don’t discriminate. So why should we?
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