To the untrained observer having a good level of foresight can seem like a gift. Possessing the ability to predict the future was once the realm of sorcerers, however good foresight can be trained and honed to improve individuals powers of prediction, planning and strategising.
The journey begins for children by learning to recognise changes and the implications of those changes. Once this has been understood, children can learn to develop their ability to prioritise and classify changes in a view to acting on them in the future.
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Below are some techniques to develop Foresight core skills.
1
Spot the difference
Spot the difference exercises can help children improve their foresight by encouraging them to think about the changes they spot and their impact. To do this, use the following three-step process:
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Spot the difference
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Brainstorm the impacts of the differences
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Discuss the impacts for different characters
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These exercises can be done using spot the difference images online or by creating your own images and following the questioning process.
2
Discuss the environmental impact
We should engage children by asking questions and getting their opinions on important topics to help them develop their identity and thoughts about the world. One way to encourage children to think and discuss the world around them is by discussing and thinking about change. Asking children questions about the changes they recognize in their environment and the impact of those changes can not only help them develop their foresight skills, but also help them develop their own opinions about their world.
3
Discuss the human impact
Discussing and tracking change in people can be a difficult task. Outside of the physical changes we experience, and the advanced metrics and assessment tools we have for testing intelligence, there are not many tools for us to track changes in ourselves and others. Supporting children to develop the skills of tracking human changes can be a highly rewarding and fruitful endeavour.
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A simple and easy way to start this journey is by sharing with children the changes you experience. The challenge for you here is to be reflective enough to feedback these changes to children. Once this has been established, children should be supported and encouraged to feedback to you the changes they notice in themselves.