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Developing children“s soft skills through a design thinking intervention

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Abstract(s)

Companies and organizations are in constant evolution and adaptation in order to maintain their competitivity. This happens while younger generations enter the labor market. Few researchers conducted studies among managers and recruiters, and the lack of soft skills in young people has gained special attention once it plays a crucial role in the personal and professional development of an individual. By using qualitative – direct observation during the intervention – and quantitative – surveys applied before and after the process – methods, this investigation aims to provide evidence of the effectiveness of a design thinking intervention, in school context, as a promoter of soft skills in children. The participants were in the 5th grade, aged between nine and eleven years old. The present investigation evaluates how teamwork, empathy, communication, systemic thinking, creativity, and problem solving, leadership and critical thinking evolved. The results confirm design thinking intervention as a soft skill promoter in children, contributing to the area of education and development. This suggests that through the integration of design thinking in basic school’s curriculum, the soft skills required for personal and professional lives are developed and may contribute to youngsters’ future achievements.
As empresas e organizaƧƵes estĆ£o em constante mudanƧa e adaptação de forma a manter a sua competitividade. Isto acontece enquanto novas geraƧƵes entram no mercado de trabalho. Investigadores realizaram estudos com gerentes e recrutadores de vĆ”rias empresas que apontam para a falta de soft skill em geraƧƵes mais jovens. Este tópico tem ganho relevĆ¢ncia dado que as soft skills sĆ£o essenciais para o desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional de qualquer indivĆ­duo. Esta investigação tem como objetivo evidenciar a eficĆ”cia de uma intervenção de design thinking em contexto escolar, no desenvolvimento de soft skills em crianƧas. Utilizar-se Ć£o mĆ©todos qualitativos – observaƧƵes diretas durante a intervenção – e quantitativos – atravĆ©s do preenchimento de um questionĆ”rio antes e depois da intervenção. Os participantes estĆ£o no 5Āŗ ano, e tĆŖm idades entre os nove e os onze anos. As soft skills avaliadas sĆ£o: trabalho de equipa, empatia, comunicação, pensamento sistĆ©mico, criatividade e resolução de problemas, lideranƧa e pensamento crĆ­tico. Este estudo confirma a possibilidade do design thinking funcionar como promotor do desenvolvimento de soft skills em crianƧas, contribuindo assim para as Ć”reas da educação e desenvolvimento. Posto isto, a integração do design thinking no programa escolar bĆ”sico, as soft skills necessĆ”rias para o desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional seriam desenvolvidas.

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Soft skills Children Development Labor market Schools Teacher Education

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CC License