3. Digital literacy

Digital literacy is a set of skills that allows students to use technology effectively in their everyday lives. It involves the ability to navigate and use digital tools effectively, as well as understanding the impact of technology on society and the economy.

In a world where technology is rapidly advancing, students need to be proficient in digital tools and platforms, such as cloud computing, data analytics and social media, to succeed in the jobs of the future. 

4. Effective Communication

Effective communication involves the ability to listen actively, articulate ideas clearly and in a persuasive manner, and collaborate with others. As technology continues to advance, the ability to communicate effectively across different platforms and mediums will become increasingly important. Communication skills are essential in every industry and will continue to be highly valued in the future.

What parents can do to help

Teens are often reluctant to open up about their feelings, so it’s important that you give them space to talk, but don’t push too hard. In addition, try not to make assumptions about what they might be feeling or experiencing.

If you suspect that your teen may be struggling with depression, here are a few things that you can do to help:

Check in with them regularly: If you notice some of the signs of depression in your teen, ask if they have been feeling sad or hopeless over the past couple of weeks. If so, then it may be helpful to talk with them about this issue more deeply and look for ways to help.

Be supportive: Listen carefully to your teen, and don’t judge what they say or how they feel. Try not to tell them what they should be feeling or experiencing. Instead, let them talk about their experience in their own words. It is important that they know they can come to you with any questions or concerns.

Encourage healthy habits: It can be difficult for teens to maintain healthy habits, but it’s essential that they do. Encourage them to get enough sleep, eat regular meals and take time out of their busy schedules each day to relax. These habits can help improve their mood and overall well-being.

Stay involved:  If you notice that your teen is becoming withdrawn and spending more time alone, don’t ignore it. Encourage them to get engaged in activities with their friends or family members and make sure they are spending time on positive things like hobbies or sports.

Seek professional help:  Encourage your teen to see a counsellor: Sometimes it can be helpful to talk with someone outside of the family about what is going on. A professional counsellor or therapist who is trained in this area can provide support and guidance for you and your teen.

How is depression in teens treated? 

It is important to remember that everyone’s experience with depression is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. It’s important for teens to work closely with a healthcare professional to develop a treatment plan that works best for them. 

Depression in teens can be treated through a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. The specific treatment plan will depend on the severity of the depression and the individual’s needs.

2. Have a family movie night 

When it comes to family fun, nothing beats a good movie. All you need is a comfortable couch and some popcorn. Choose from animated movies, comedies or dramas — whatever suits your mood. But be sure to choose something that everyone will enjoy.

3. Go on a nature walk

If you’re feeling like getting away from it all, why not plan a nature walk? You can take your family outside and explore the surrounding area. Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Kingsley Hills, Aquaria, Desa Park City and many more! It doesn’t matter where you live — there is sure to be something interesting nearby.

How to help your child develop a growth mindset

There are several ways you can help your child develop a growth mindset:

Introduce new experiences – Encourage your child to try new things, such as a sport or an instrument. By exposing children to new experiences, they are more likely to adopt a growth mindset because they understand that abilities can be developed and changed with practice and effort. This can help them overcome their fear of failure, which is often a barrier to learning new skills.

Praise effort, not intelligence – When your child does well on an assignment or test, don’t praise the outcome. Instead, focus on the effort they put into it. This will encourage them to try harder next time and put in more effort because they know that by doing so, they can improve their performance.

Learn from mistakes – When your child makes a mistake, encourage them to take responsibility for their actions and try again. Instead of saying “don’t worry about it” or “it doesn’t matter,” tell them that they should think about what they could have done differently and how they can improve next time.

Ask questions – When your child comes home with an assignment, ask them what they learned from it and how they feel about the material. This will encourage them to think critically about the subject matter and engage in a discussion about what they found interesting or difficult.

Encourage persistence – When your child has a setback, encourage them to keep trying. Praise their effort and their resilience in the face of adversity rather than focusing on what went wrong or how they could have done better. Help them understand that everyone makes mistakes but the key is not giving up when things get tough.

Enjoy the process – Parents can help their children develop a growth mindset by taking an interest in what they enjoy doing, asking questions about it and encouraging them to talk about the process rather than focusing on the outcome.

Be a good role model – Children learn by example, so parents can help their children develop a growth mindset by demonstrating it themselves. For example, when children see their parents showing interest in learning new things that they are not familiar with, they are more likely to view learning as something that is fun and exciting.

4. Development of social skills 

Outdoor play allows children to develop social skills in a natural environment. It provides them with the opportunity to interact with their peers and develop social skills such as communication, negotiation, and cooperation. Without this exposure, many interpersonal skills would not be practised or honed while playing indoors on computers or television sets.

5. Good for mental health

According to CDC, mental health-related emergency department visits from March to October 2020 increased 24 percent for children ages 5 to 11 and 31 percent for those ages 12 to 17 compared with 2019.

Natural environment can help reduce stress and anxiety in children. Being outside in nature has a calming effect on the mind, and physical activity helps release endorphins that improve mood. Playing outside can also provide a sense of freedom and autonomy, which can be empowering for children.

6. Encouraging independence 

Outdoor play provides children with the opportunity to take risks and push their boundaries in a safe and supervised environment.

It often involves children taking the initiative to explore and create their own activities. This can help children develop a sense of independence and self-reliance, which are important traits for building resilience.

How to prevent bullying?

Bullying can be prevented by teaching children how to recognise and deal with it appropriately. It is important to let your child know that bullying is not a normal part of growing up and should never be tolerated. Bullies are more likely to stop when they feel that they are being watched and when they know there will be consequences for their behaviour. 

At Maple Leaf Kingsley International School, we take bullying cases very seriously and make sure the students understand the implications and negative impacts of the different types of bullying, the responsibilities of bystanders to report bullying, and how and where to get help. When such cases arise, we investigate them and keep parents informed.

Students are subjected to reflective actions by mopping the floor or cleaning the classroom to ensure they understand that their action is not right. Headteachers and pastoral care counsel the students to ensure they realise their mistakes and learn through the process.

In primary school, we consistently emphasise anti-bullying during CT and PSHE periods. This includes addressing all aspects of personal/ social life (friendship and emotional well-being) in school and at home. We used incidents that happen as a learning topic for the students. 

Learning Journeys at MLKIS 

At Maple Leaf Kingsley International School, students are encouraged to explore their interests by engaging with real people and communities as exposure to diverse and complex perspectives on the world.

Our programme Learning Journeys is a series of educational experiences for primary and secondary students that enrich their academic learning with hands-on exploration and allows them to tackle real issues in the places they visit.

Primary school students go on day trips, while secondary school students participate in annual overnight camps. MLKIS also offers Year 8 and 9 students the opportunity to participate in Overseas Exchange programmes with partner schools. 

These programmes offer students the chance to immerse themselves in new cultures and gain personal insight into life in a wider world beyond their home countries.