Adapt to Thrive: Keystone 10th Anniversary Education Salon with Dr. Rae Yang
“It is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is able best to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself.”
- According to Charles Darwin in On the Origin of Species
Fortunately for humanity, survival is no longer the largest concern for most of us. However, as the rapid advancements in society and technology make our lives more comfortable in many ways, they also pose new challenges as we seek to thrive in our studies and careers. While Charles Darwin may not have accounted for variables like advanced computing and AI in his research on adaptability, the core idea of the importance of this trait rings true in many other scenarios today. To learn more about adaptability in the context of children’s psychology, Keystone invited Dr. Rae Yang, Deputy Director at The High School Affiliated to Renmin University ICC, to speak at the most recent 10th Anniversary Education Salon.
On Friday, November 24, Keystone hosted the third event in its 10th Anniversary Education Salon Series. With the theme “Adaptability in the Fast-Changing World and How Schools and Families Can Help Adolescents Develop Necessary Skills”, this Education Salon featured inspiring advice from Dr. Yang on how we can help our children develop adaptability. This event was a great way for parents and educators to learn the best strategies to support students’ development. In a rapidly evolving world where the only constant is change, children who are well prepared to take on uncertainty will be able to succeed.
Why does Dr. Yang believe adaptability is such a key skill for students to develop? She defines this trait as “a psychosocial construct that denotes an individual’s resources for coping with current and anticipated tasks, transitions, traumas in their roles that, to some degree large or small, alter their social integration.” At the beginning of the Salon, Dr. Yang asked audience members to raise their hand if they had recently gone through a big life change, such as changing jobs, moving, or incurring a large expense. As she listed off these significant events, more and more audience members’ hands went up, until almost everyone had their hand raised. In the world today, we are dealing with new changes and challenges almost constantly, so being able to cope with such events, both surprising and anticipated, ensures we will be able to thrive even in a chaotic environment.
Adaptability is more important than ever, but how can we work to develop it? Dr. Yang broke down the skill into four dimensions: concern, control, confidence, and curiosity. By being intentional in our conversations and actions with children, we can help them grow in these four dimensions which will prepare them for all sorts of challenges they face. Providing a safe setting for children through sincere conversations and connections will empower them with confidence and a positive attitude toward changes. Dr. Yang also mentioned the importance of maintaining healthy sleep and eating habits to ensure children feel secure. Finally, she stressed that parents need to set an example through their own values. Children will pick up on these values naturally, so a parent who demonstrates good values in their interactions with their children will help model what concern for the world and confidence in oneself looks like.
Dr. Yang’s advice didn’t end there. In addition to her expansive presentation, she also took questions from audience members. Her answer to one concerned parent resonated through the room. “Love yourself,” Dr. Yang stated, reminding everyone that even in this challenging new world we face, we are all trying our best for ourselves and our children. By loving yourself, being firm in your own values, maintaining sincere communication with your children, and encouraging their natural curiosity, you will help raise a child who is able to adapt and thrive in the world of tomorrow.
