Features of Generation Alpha

1295

23 March 2023

All news

Teachers-friendly

Parents-friendly

Женя Шульга

Авторка

It is unlikely that anyone from Generation Alpha will read this text;) The fact is that it is quite difficult for these children to perceive large amounts of textual information. Therefore, this text is not for them, but for their parents and teachers. For people who are accustomed to other realities, standards and priorities, but want to understand their children and find effective methods of interaction with them.

There is nothing more stable than change. And with the emergence of each new generation, people change because the world around us is constantly changing. And this is a natural process, cyclical and endless.

Currently, teachers and parents are dealing with Generation Alpha. These are children born after 2010. Children who are called “those born with a smartphone in their hands.” They really get used to devices in everyday life from a very young age and, growing up, cannot imagine their lives without the Internet and social media. For adults, this can be annoying, confusing, or even frightening. But all we can and should do is accept them as they are. So let's try to understand the children of the new generation and find comfortable ways to interact with them. Or create new ones if the old methods don't work.

1. 'Mom, I want to make a video about my unicorns' - Katia 8 years

Video is the natural medium of Generation Alpha, so it perceives information much better through video content. This doesn't mean that teachers should get rid of paper textbooks and parents should turn on Youtube instead of talking. But video content should undoubtedly become an important tool for both the educational and upbringing process.
Children of the new generation not only like to watch videos online, but also to film their everyday life and share it with the world. That is why it is advisable for educators to try to integrate video content tasks into their classes, using smartphones for educational purposes. It motivates and engages students. And if children can use their favorite gadgets in the classroom, present their own video material, and receive positive feedback, it will help them develop their creative skills.
By the way, more than movies and cartoons from professional directors, Alpha children love to watch vlogs from their peers.

2. 'Freedom is our everything. We create our own reality.' - Mark 10 y.o.

For the new generation, freedom of choice is of great importance. Both teachers and parents should realize this and try to give children the right to choose what to eat and how to dress, when to study, and what hobby to choose. This is not about permissiveness, but about limited choice in a particular situation.
If an adult is constantly making decisions for a child, he or she learns to avoid responsibility and cannot feel the joy and satisfaction of making a decision on his or her own. Moreover, if adults constantly force a child to do something he or she does not like, all sorts of complexes are born in the psyche of a little person. But adults are not always right;) A simple example: a child does not want to give his toy to others, and experienced parents, teachers, or caregivers strongly advise him to share it. Now imagine a situation where someone from your environment asks to “play” with your laptop, coat, or new car. What would be your reaction?

3. 'When I grow up, I'm going to live in Brazil' - Sofia 8 y.o.

Another characteristic of the new generation is global thinking. Digital technologies and globalization are destroying borders. The children of the new generation were born and live in a world where any celebrity can be found on Instagram;) The fact that we spent our summer vacations in the country or at our grandmother's house in the village, and our children dream of Disneyland in Paris or the Harry Potter Museum in London, is normal. There is no need to devalue their desires. It's just that they think differently, on a larger scale than we do, and they already realize that the world is big, but everything is real.
So, Alpha is a generation of lightweight, mobile people who make decisions quickly, react quickly to situations, take responsibility for their lives, and believe that everything is real. Our goal is not to interfere with their ability to be just that. And in order not to interfere, it is enough to simply love them and perceive their peculiarities as advantages.

Features of Generation Alpha

Generation Alpha includes children born since 2010. This is the first generation to be immersed in the digital world since childhood, which shapes the way they perceive the environment. Alphas are accustomed to quick access to information and interactive learning. They perceive the world as a limitless space of possibilities and constant change, which influences their views and behavior. This generation grows up with gadgets in their hands, which makes their technological skills extremely developed from an early age. In addition, they are highly adaptable to new technologies and changes that constantly appear in their lives.

Interacting with Generation Alpha

To effectively interact with children of this generation, it is important to take into account their special nature. Unlike previous generations, alphas prefer digital technologies, which requires new approaches to teaching and upbringing. It is important to create an interactive environment where children can learn through experience and not just passive memorization. Here are some tips to help you find an approach to these children:

Use game-based teaching methods.
Involve them in solving practical problems.
Stimulate critical thinking and creativity.
Take into account their need for a quick change of activities.

Applying these methods will allow you to educate not only capable, but also harmoniously developed individuals.

As for the modern learning environment, it is important to provide children with all the necessary tools for their self-expression. So that they can create their own content, develop their ideas and bring them to life. Let them draw, compose poems and songs, develop scripts, shoot videos, and express their point of view. The main task of the teacher is to create a learning environment where the child feels comfortable. Where they feel their strength and independence. Where the teacher does not order, condemn or decide for the child, but only provides the necessary tools, helps and supports him/her