Imagining Workshops Report Summary

WELCOME to THE IMAGINING WORKSHOPS at the CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX A Design Research Report

Insights Childhood of the Past, Present, and Future Report While technology has its place as a tool in life, children are currently spending a lot of time on screens, and the future childhood experience would have them ideally experience the real world instead. This looks like playing outside (as many did in the past), learning about the world we live in (other people and cultures, nature, etc), and building strong relationships. Learning in general will ideally be a large part of the ideal childhood experience, which can include science, sustainability, history, culture, reading, and language. Relationships in the form of family and friends are extremely important in the ideal childhood experience and stakeholders therefore wish for children to learn relationship skills. There is also a desire for children to be able to express their emotions, both those considered positive or negative.

The pie charts indicate Social and Emotional Development is the highest priority for stakeholders.

Understanding the Childhood Experience Social and Emotional Development

Today

Safety Education Literacy Skills

21.1% 58.2% 16.5%

Tomorrow

14.9%

59.8%

17%

The Ideal Childhood Experience Insights Map CARS

ARTS & CRAFTS

SEW

COOK

FINANCE

DRAW SEW PAINT COLOR

READ

EMPOW

REPAIR

GARDEN

CRITICAL THINKING GLOBAL CITIZEN IMPACT

LIFE SKILLS

MUSIC

CREATIVITY

THE ARTS

HISTORY

SELF MANAGEMEN

RESPONSIBLE DECISION MAKING

SEL

PATIENCE RESILIENCE GRIT PROBLEM SOLVIN SELF-LED

SCR FR

SPORT

FORTS BEING MESSY CREATING

EXPLORE IMAGINE NEW IDEAS TRY NEW THINGS DREAM PRETEND

LEARN

PL

DANCE FREE TIME WL

THEATER

MATH CLIMB TREES STARGAZE HIKE FRESH AIR SUNSHINE ROLLER SKATE

STEAM

OUTSIDE

ENGINEERING

SCIENCE PHYSICS TECH CODING ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

NATURE

SPACE SUSTAINABILITY

TAKE CARE OF THE PLANET APPRECIATE NATURE

DINOS

ANIMALS SEA LIFE BUGS PLANTS

CREATE FUTURE

OWERED INTEGRITY PRIDE ACCOMPLISHED

EMPATHY COMPASSION

JOY

SOCIAL AWARENESS

FUN

SELF AWARENESS

NT

LOVE

DREAMS GOALS AMBITION

REFELCTION CONFIDENCE BE THEMSELVES BRAVE

EMOTION

NG

EXPRESS

REEN REE

KINDNESS

COMMUNICATION

AFTER SCHOOL

RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

TS TOYS

LOVE DIVERSITY

RESPECT

ACCEPTANCE

CULTURE

EXPLORE

SUPPORT FROM

TEACHERS

FRIENDS

LAY

CONNECT COMMUNITY

LASTING FRIENDSHIPS

SIBLINGS COUSINS

BE A GOOD FRIEND

SERVE

PETS

E

GARDEN

CAMPING

FAMILY

PLAY COOK MOVIE NIGHT DINNER BAKE PLAY CATCH

TRAVEL

VOLUNTEER

CELEBRATIONS

GIVE BACK

TRADITIONS

HELP OTHERS SUPPORT OTHERS MINISTER CARE HOW TO BE A CITIZEN

PARKS

Understanding the Childhood Experience

The world cloud revealed the important aspects of the childhood experience.

Fostering Character in Children Objective The Children’s Museum of Phoenix fosters character in children through a variety of activities. In order to expand upon and more clearly articulate opportunities to foster character in children, the museum created a list of 22 character traits, then asked stakeholders to prioritize which five the museum should focus on within museum activities to guide current and future messaging, as well as future exhibits.

Fostering Character in Children

Bravery/Courage Compassion Confidence Creativity Critical Thinking Curiosity Empathy Gratitude Grit Joy Kindness Love Love of Learning Motivation Patience Perseverance Resilience Respect Responsibility Self-regulation Teamwork Zest

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Insights Children need a foundation of Love Strong and healthy interpersonal relationships, self-advocacy, and growth are nearly equal in importance to stakeholders. However, love is good for the soul and is needed to create a strong foundation comprising self-love, self-worth, self-respect, safety and security, and an ability to be themselves. A solid foundation is created with Love, Respect, Creativity, and Curiosity.

This foundation enables children to love and respect, be kind and compassionate to, understand and accept, and feel compassion for others in order to develop strong connections through Love, Respect, Empathy, and Curiosity.

Of near equal importance is the ability to learn, expand, and grow from a foundation of love, as well. Developing skills, strengthening the imagination, trying new things, thinking of new ideas, and expanding the worldview through Critical Thinking, Respect, and Creativity are highly valued by all stakeholders.

A strong foundation also means that children will learn to advocate for themselves in developing life skills that enable them to ask questions, think independently and outside the box, make decisions, problem solve and overcome challenges, and create their future with Curiosity, Creativity, and Love.

On a smaller scale, stakeholders value a child’s ability to navigate, imagine, and build a better world through Creativity, Empathy, and Critical Thinking.

The google form survey revealed the top 5 character traits prioritized by stakeholders, with a tie for 4th and 5th, resulting in 7 total.

Fostering Character in Children Insights Map Critical Thinking

OVERCOME DOUBT

LI SK Creativity

MAKE DECISIONS

PROBLEM SOLVE

THINK INDEPENDENTLY

MEET CHALLENGES

THINK OUTSIDE BOX CREATE FUTURE

TAKE RISKS PERSEVERE

ASK QUESTIONS

Confidence Curiosity

EXPLORE

SELF-ADVOCATE

THINK OF NEW IDEAS Creativity

STRENGTHEN IMAGINATION Confidence

EXPAND WORLDVIEW

LEARN

LEARN Curiosity

TRY NEW THINGS

FOUND

GROW Love

NEED DEVELOP SKILLS Critical Thinking

SELF-LOVE

SAFETY

SELF-WORTH SECURITY

IFE KILLS

LOVE OTHERS

Curiosity Love

ACCEPT OTHERS

Respect

RESPECT OTHERS

CONNECT WITH OTHERS

COMPASSION FOR OTHERS

UNDERSTAND OTHERS

KIND TO OTHERS

Empathy

BUILD BETTER WORLD

CONNECT Critical Thinking

NAVIGATE WORLD BE A WORLD CITIZEN

DATION LIMITLESS

H

GOOD FOR SOUL BE THEMSELVES

IMAGINE BETTER WORLD

Creativity Key: Top 7 Character Traits

Confidence

Creativity

Critical Thinking

Curiosity

Empathy

Love

Respect

Respect

EMPOWERED Confidence

SELF-RESPECT

Imagining New Building Experiences Art and Design Books/Reading Career Events Financial Literacy Games/Puzzles History Physical Activity Makerspace Parking Lot Performing Arts Science Sensory Technology Transportation Traveling Exhibit

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Insights How the World Works Science fascinated children of the past and continues to fascinate children today. Therefore it is not surprising that stakeholders desire to see the Children’s Museum of Phoenix expand its science related experiences within its new spaces. Exploring science helps children understand the world, how it works, and their place in it.

This is important to promote sustainability, which has shown to be highly valued. A desire to get kids off screens as indicated in the empathy map data is reflected in a strong desire for physical activity and sports. Performing arts, with an emphasis on music, is of great interst to stakeholders. Also, data has indicated a desire for children to be able to create their own future, and career related experiences would support this. A sensory room to help children self-regulate is also desired by a number of stakeholders.

Science related ideas were the most commonly ideated among stakeholders.

Imagining New Building Experiences Science

Animals

Dinos

Experiments Garden

Petting Zoo Animal Therapy Animal Anatomy puzzles Golden cow informational pamphlet Animal habitat Live animals they can feed, take care of Hold smaller animals Garden animals A space to watch bugs in action Microscopes with bugs Aviary Poop/From different wildlife

Interactive dino exhibit

Science Lab with food Indoor garden experiments Compost bin Food science Small ecosystems Measurement conversions Plant take home kit Inventor parties for kids Endemic plants and adults Turn dirt room into garden Music science lab Verdant rooftop maze Which liquids interact with Community garden what How vibrations work with bass Basics of gravity with music beats Science behind sizes of instruments

Earth Science Earth Room Erosion Table Rock exhibit Immersion into ecosystems around the world

Physical Activity

Performing Arts

Sports

Music

Dance

Musical Play Instruments Musical Alphabet game Create your own instrument Music room Local musicians come to teach Dj station Recycled instruments Recording studio Giant windchime Sight reading Making a band Music theory Match the music Karaoke

Dance studio Silent dance party Guest ballet teachers Dance classes and recital Disco

Play

Ski down snowy mountain Zorbing Sports - around the world Indoor playground Basketball Indoor zipline Gymnastics room Trampoline Balance beam with harness Ball pit Climbing wall Web fall Climb ropes Slide Climbing structure Cornhole Rock wall Pole to slide down Mini golf Floor is lava obstacle path Fitness room Swings from ceiling Yoga room Foam pit to fall into Maze Tunnel system Water slide Wipe out! Obstacle

Drama/ Theater Movie making room/space Props Costumes Sound effects lab Mini theater

Top 5 Brainstorming Ideas Light

Mud/Dirt

Space

Water

Light play Different types of lights and switches Silhouette drawing Projection shadow play Physics of light, color and the eye/brain LED music studio LED disco floor Jumbo floor keyboard Learn about circuits and electricity Kaleidoscope room Giant Lite bright wall Controlled pyrotechnics

Mud play A pile of dirt Molds to put the mud in Mud pies

Exploring outer space Planetarium ceiling What is gravity Observatory Constellation sky Alien/astrobiology chemistry Visiting astronomer Create your own constellation Imagine starting a community in space Moon phases Sun display Rocket launch What do you need for a journey to space?

The challenge of water in the desert Manual pumping station A river to connect places and people A canoe AZ canal path on map Waterfall Fountain/faucet As ink exhibit Paper to make boats Water maze Water play Water and sand Pond to wade through Field trips to waterways Walk through water Underwater room

Ocean Ocean room LED aquarium Underwater exploring with goggles Fish feeding tanks Explore the fish of the sea Turtles

Career

Construction Build life-size Barbie house Crane for teamwork Legos Build your own crane Work clothes and tool belts Builders workshop Workshop Architecture Big room for building with legos, lincoln logs

Culinary Arts Culinary explorations Chef demonstration Cultural themes Different ways to make same thing

Sensory

Urban Planning Build cardboard city Public transport Ways to work in teams Solve city challenges Stores for kids to run Learn about money

Fashion Fashion runway Make or paint clothes Display of types of fabrics Design patterns Design recycled clothes

Firefighting Fire safety house

Costumes and helmets Physics of fire trucks Fire facts

Medicine Interactive hospital Realistic supplies Pathology lab Be a patient Pharmacy

Veterinary Vet clinic X-ray area Anatomy Animal hospital Vet tools Community partnership Simulated check in experience

Soft music Hammock Calming activities Different textures Neurodivergent play Bean bag chairs Low lights Auditory sensory stuff Bubble wrap Slime Zen/quiet Yoga classes Away from louder exhibits White noise Stations with different textures Bubbles

Defining Opportunity Spaces

How Might We? Opportunity Space Ideation HMW support the ideal future childhood?

HMW foster in children?

HMW help kids

HMW help kids

Learn that they can handle problems

Gain independent thoughts and ideas Emotional Intelligence

Solve complex problems on their own

Learn about themselves

How they really feel

Reverse engineer problems to make them easy

Open up to their interests in life

Joy

HMW help kids express

Put their stamp on the world Express their ideas and emotions

HMW help kids Get excited to learn

HMW help kids Relate to others

Explore

Understand others

Learn new skills

Connect with others

Be inspired to learn

Build relationships

Learn through curiosity

Listen to others

Find joy in learning

HMW help kids Understand how things work Learn History Learn languages Challenge the things they know

r character

HMW imagine new museum experiences?

HMW help kids

HMW help kids learn about

HMW help kids learn by

Understand how world works

Gravity

Planning/building a mini city

Learn how to take care of the earth

Constellations

Life size barbie house

How to improve the environment

Solar system

Pretend role play vet clinic

HMW help kids learn how to Get along with each other

HMW help kids learn about Learn about circuits and electricity

HMW help kids learn through Water play

Communicate with different people

Learn about light with a giant Lite Brite wall

Natural and man-made dams

HMW help kids learn about Ecosystems

HMW help kids exprerience a/n Maze

Animal Habitat

Kinetic Sand Room

Turtles

Rock wall

Gardening

Upside Down Space

Love nature Understand nature

Love diversity

Replica of local waterways

Embrace and respect different cultures HMW encourage kids to use free time to Explore outside Play outside Read

Defining Opportunity Spaces

How might we help children open up to their interests in life and love diversity while planning a mini city?

How might we help children be inspired to learn and understand nature while playing with water?

How might we help children learn they can handle problems and challenge what they know while learning about gravity?

How might we help children understand others and demonstrate emotional intelligence while learning about ecosystems?

Appendix A Full research reports

Understanding Childhood Childhood of the Past Among all stakeholders, the children of the past enjoyed learning about multiple school subjects, most of all science. Within the science category, nature and animals were incredibly popular, followed by space. Reading and arts and crafts tied in popularity, and math and history followed close behind. Performing arts were also well-loved, with music comprising half of the performing arts related responses with dance following in popularity and then drama. Children of the past enjoyed learning about sports and enjoyed learning how to play basketball, perform bike stunts, and roller skate. Children also enjoyed learning how things work and about cars. Playing pretend and using their imagination was a way for children to learn. And children also liked learning life skills and about themselves as people. They liked learning how to clean, cook, bake, garden, or even how to drive. They also enjoyed learning how to be kind and how to use their voice.

After school, children of the past primarily talked about social situations and, most of all, friends.

What drama ensued was a common topic, as well as who got in trouble that day. Boys or girls were also mentioned. On the flip side, bullies were mentioned only twice.The school day in general and lunch and recess were talked about equally.

What happened that day, what was for lunch, and what children did for recess were all talked about. All stakeholders talked about what they learned that day, as well. Teachers they liked or disliked were also a minor topic. School subjects were discussed, such as books and reading, science (animals, chemistry), current events, art class, music, and P.E. Reading and P.E. were most popular school subjects discussed. After school activities and life were also discussed, such as homework and what;s for snack and dinner. Emotions and feelings were also topics of discussion. Talking about what was fun or how bad the day was were noted, or even stress, such as noting how little time there was in a day or “what-ifs”. Dreams for the future were also

discussed.

Notably, seven post its representing all three stakeholders noted that they didn’t talk after school or didn’t have anyone to talk to.

Most popularly, children of the past loved playing outside for hours on end. Multiple outdoor activities were mentioned, such as swimming, fishing, playing with sand, playground activities, and going to the park. Physical activities that took place primarily outdoors, such as riding bikes and scooters, or roller skating, were also well-loved, as were sports, such as swimming, basketball, gymnastics, tether ball, and soccer. Playing catch and jump rope were also mentioned. Second to playing outside, arts and crafts such as coloring, painting, drawing, decorating, origami, and playing with clay were enjoyed by all stakeholder groups. Following arts and crafts, reading, including reading comics, was enjoyed in large numbers by all stakeholder groups. Musical activities were also very much enjoyed such as listening to music, playing piano, singing and dancing, and playing other musical instruments.

Dancing was enjoyed by a few. Children could also play make-believe for hours on end and enjoy playing dress-up, as well as playing “school” or “secretary.” Children enjoyed playing in general with friends, toys, or pets. Children also played with dolls such as barbies for hours on end, but playing video games was even more popular.

Equal in popularity to video games was watching videos, movies, cartoons, youtube, or MTV. Children also enjoyed their down time to reflect and daydream, nap and swing. Playing games, building things, and exploring history and science were enjoyed equally.

The strongest childhood memories for all stakeholder groups by far were family related.

Family experiences play a large role in creating memories. Memories with parents, siblings, cousins, grandparents, and aunts and uncles were all mentioned. Quality time includes movie nights, cooking, enjoying meals together, playing sports, enjoying reunions, making music, baking, reading, riding horses, and even working. The second most memorable childhood experiences were of playing outside and outdoor activities such as riding bikes, fishing, swimming, building

forts, catching fireflies, playing in the woods, and playing with mud and with water. The third most common childhood memories were travel related.

Family vacations and road trips, including to Disneyland (mentioned seven times) are common childhood memories for all stakeholder groups.

Camping is a very common childhood memory, as are summer camps like space camp, music camp, and girl scout camp.

Childhood of the Present According to all stakeholders groups, children today enjoy learning about science related topics most of all. For predominantly business leaders and caregivers/visitors, this includes topics related to nature, such as oceans, weather, plants, gardening, animals (sharks, dogs, reptiles), and insects. Health, microbiology, and forensics are also noted. Dinosaurs are a particularly strong interest among all three stakeholder groups, as is space.

Following science, technology and screen related activities also take precedence among all three stakeholders. Video games, such as Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite, in particular, were noted by a majority of educators and a few caregivers/ members and business leaders respectively.

Among mostly business leaders and educators, Youtube videos and tik tok activities, such as dances, tie in popularity following video games.

Engineering related topics are enjoyed by children today as noted by all stakeholders. Children enjoy learning how things work, electronics, using engineering kits, and building things, for example, with legos. Arts and crafts are very popular, with children enjoying drawing, painting, crafts, and coloring. Almost equal in popularity are sports and physical activity. P.E. at school, as well as basketball, gymnastics, baseball, climbing, running, martial arts, and skateboarding are well-loved by children today.

Reading and literacy skills remain well loved as children enjoy learning their ABC’s and words, spelling, and reading books. Following reading, children enjoy music related activities such as singing, hip hop, drums, and songs. Math follows, and then history, and transportation related topics such as cars, planes, and engines.

Children enjoy cooking and baking, but even more so they enjoy learning about people and cultures.

How to get along with others, form friendships, speak languages, and engage with other cultures are all of major interest. Children also enjoy just playing and getting messy, They enjoy puzzles and games, tricks and card games, jokes and riddles.

A small number of children enjoy fashion and beauty, such as skin care, make-up, eyelashes, and nail art.

There are two mentions of the future and children learning how to create things that improve the world.

Children today mostly talk about friends and social dynamics, as indicated by all stakeholders, primarily business leaders. Responses regarding friends and social dynamics make up approximately one quarter of all responses.

Social dynamics such as crushes were mentioned, as well as drama, gossip (“tea”), chisme, and bullies. The school day follows in prevalence as a topic of discussion, including what was interesting or funny, how boring it was, and general happenings. What was learned is often discussed, as are teachers. Recess and homework are common topics, but grades are only mentioned twice. Food is talked about, such as what’s for snack or dinner, or what was for lunch that day. Screen related conversations occur, which includes youtube, tv gossip, phones, the news tech, cartoons, movies, and Social media, such as Snapchat and tik tok. When it comes to screen-related activities, children talk about video games most of all, mostly Roblox. Children also talk about their feelings and share their anxieties, challenges, and stresses, as well as how happy or sad they were throughout their school day. Children enjoy talking about their interests in sports, followed by music, art, toys, and other general interests in animals, in particular dinosaurs, and modes of transportation such as planes and cars. On a smaller scale, children talk about reading and books, upcoming trips, the future, and after school activities.

As far as what children today can engage in for hours on end, screen related activities make up approximately a third of all responses. Screen

related activities include video games, social media, ipad usage, television and movies, and phone usage. Video games are most common of all screen related activities and include Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft, and Poekemon. Watching television and videos, including you tube, is very prevalent, as well. Phone usage (talking to friends, facetime, games,scrolling) and ipad time are equally common, followed by social media, which implies phone or ipad usage. Tik tok, and instagram are social media platforms mentioned.

Following screen time, children today do enjoy outdoor activities for hours on end. In general, children enjoy playing outside. More specifically, children enjoy playing tag, trampolines, going to the park, playing on their scooter, water balloons, skateboarding, swinging, and playing in the yard. Children enjoy sports such as basketball, swimming, soccer, and running.

Children enjoy playing for hours on end, be it with friends, pets, toys, dolls, games. Children also enjoy building things with lego and blocks.

Pretend play is also enjoyed for hours on end as children enjoy dress up, playing “school” and “war,” and role play.

Arts and crafts like drawing, coloring, chalk art, painting, and creating are also enjoyed for hours on end, and equally popular is reading and listening to stories, followed closely by music related activities such as making music and playing instruments.

Children also enjoy cooking, spending time with family, chores, exploring, and family trips.

The memories that children are making today are primarily relational in nature and include time with family and friends. Family time is the prevailing theme overall and entails immediate and extended family members. Family activities include family dinners, cooking and baking together, tea parties, time at grandparents’, playing with siblings and cousins, travel, and movie nights. Friends play an important role in childhood memories made today, which includes just hanging out, sleepovers, playing, and hanging out with team members. Travel plays a very large role in creating childhood memories, and road trips, trips to Disney, and exploring other cultures

and places, are all very memorable experiences.

Outings to museums, such as CMoP, and parks are also memorable, as are holidays and celebrations such as birthdays. Outdoor activities also play a large role in creating childhood memories today.

Summer camp, picnics, skipping rocks, beach time, hiking, fishing, gardening, playing in the sand, riding bikes, and playing sports are all memorable outdoor experiences. Technology will also be remembered in the form of social media, movies, television, and phones. Creative activities, playing with pets, imaginative play, storytime, school experiences (events, concerts, awards), and cooking are all important childhood memories.

Emotionally, children will remember having fun, as well as kindness, mindfulness, being comforted by a good support system, and learning empathy.

Adventure, exploring, wanderlust, and new experiences are also noted as memories children are making today. On a sad note, two pieces of data noted losing family members and the failures of adults.

Childhood of the Future In the ideal childhood of the future, all stakeholders hope that children will enjoy learning things that fall within the five pillars of social and emotional learning: relationship skills, social awareness, responsible decision making, self-awareness, and self-management.

Social awareness is a very prominent theme and all stakeholders wish for children to enjoy learning empathy, respect, and compassion for others. Cultural awareness is very important to all stakeholders and in the ideal childhood of the future children will enjoy learning about world wide cultures and other languages, and will embrace pluralism and love diversity while understanding that all are connected.

Relationship skills follow closely behind social awareness in importance to all stakeholders.

All stakeholders hope that children will enjoy learning to be kind to others while learning to communicate effectively and develop good in person social skills. It is important to learn how to engage with others and be a good friend.

Self-management follows and business leaders and caregivers/members wish children will enjoy

learning resilience and grit. Educators wish for children to enjoy learning patience, the ability to solve problems, and patience. It is desired for children to enjoy learning personal responsibility, self-control, how to handle failure and learn from mistakes, how to be still, and how to create their own sense of safety. Enjoying the little things in life without a sense of entitlement, prioritizing experience over “stuff,” and how to do things themselves are all things stakeholders wish children of the future will enjoy learning.

Responsible decision making is important for stakeholders, which incorporates critical thinking, strategic thinking, independent thinking, problem solving skills, responsibility, and an awareness of how they impact others.

Understanding how to make the world better and safer, as well as be a global citizen, with their choices is important to learn.

And finally, self-awareness is important primarily to business leaders. They hope children will enjoy learning how to be confident and be able to trust themselves and know how powerful they are as an individual. Children also need self-love.

Learning life skills is also important to all stakeholders. They hope children will enjoy learning how to cook, fix things, garden, sew, budget, and do things themselves. Frugality and resourcefulness are also desired for children to learn in the future.

School subjects that fall in the STEAM categories are also highly prioritized by all stakeholders.

Science tops them all, with a focus on sustainability. Other science related topics include nature, physics, space, and dinosaurs. Technology plays a minor role with all stakeholders and that includes AI, Adobe Illustrator, new technology, and 3D software. Engineering and how things work was only mentioned twice, but there is an emphasis on the arts. Language (literacy skills reading and writing) and creativity, such as visual art, music, and dance, are important for children to learn, and there is a heavy emphasis on history.

Math is only mentioned four times, twice by business leaders and educators each.

There is a minor emphasis on sports, health, and healthy eating. Playing outside without an iphone

is also mentioned.

Above all, stakeholders hope that children in the future will talk about what they learned at school that day, as well as their excitement and passion for learning. What cool stuff did they learn and how much? Along those lines all stakeholders, primarily educators, hope that children will understand how to ask questions to discover and grow as they learn, as well as talk about new ideas and experiences. School subjects, such as science (including sustainability), art, and music will also be a part of the ideal after school conversation, as will books, sports, robots, new cultures, and projects, such as what they created that day. Lunch was only mentioned three times and grades were only mentioned once.

The social aspect of the day follows close behind learning as a topic of conversation. All stakeholders hope children will talk about all of their friends and the new friends they made, as well as how they were helpful to others and made a difference. Teachers are also a small part of the conversation, and in the future the “drama” will hopefully be a minor topic of conversation as it was only mentioned three times.

Emotions will be an important topic of conversation with children of the future as children will talk about not only how much fun they’re having and feelings of love, joy, and happiness, but also what they’re struggling with and what challenges they’re facing.

There is a desire for children to be emotionally intelligent and be able to express how they really feel.

The future will also ideally be an important part of the conversation after school and all stakeholders hope children will discuss their goals, hopes, dreams, the places they want to go, and positive visions for the future.

Play and after school activities will also be a minor part of the after school conversation.

Notably, In the ideal childhood of the future, children will refrain from screen time and engage in multiple other activities, as stakeholders specifically noted they wish for children to play without screens and only mentioned three digital activities: coding (once), watching videos/movies (twice), and digital art (once). This is in stark contrast to the current childhood experience.

Instead, children will play for hours on end, and, more specifically, children will play outside.

Playing outside is important to all stakeholders for children of the future. Pretend play is also important, as is using their imagination to invent, dream, be curious, and try different things.

loved and supported, and peaceful. In addition, all stakeholders wish children will make fun and adventurous memories. Memories of feeling pride, confidence, self-sufficiency, integrity, and learning lessons from mistakes are also all noted as desired for children in the future.

Reading and arts and crafts are equally important to all stakeholders, and physical activities, such as running, swimming, bike riding, sports, and dance are all mentioned.

It is noted that stakeholders wish for children in the future to have memories of screen-free time.

Being social in real life, disconnecting from the virtual world, and experiencing things in real life are all desired primarily by caregivers/members and educators.

Socializing is also important for children of the future and all stakeholders, primary business leaders, hope that children will spend time with friends and family for hours on end, and even enjoy serving their community through volunteer work.

In addition, all stakeholders wish for children of the future to make memories playing outside and enjoying nature. Stargazing, climbing trees, enjoying fresh air and sunshine, are all mentioned.

Other activities children of the future could engage in for hours on end include music, learning, exploring, and taking care of the planet.

There is also mention of cooking, theater, creating their future, and working.

Using free-time to get lost in the woods, cook from scratch, build forts, create art, make up stories, read good books, listen to good music, get messy, and explore new things are all desired memories stakeholders hope children will make.

All stakeholders also hope children of the future will love, laugh, reflect, smile, and meditate.

Learning is a very strong theme for primarily business leaders and caregivers, though educators are represented, as well. Enjoying school, learning from others, loving their teachers, doing new things, and problem solving are memories stakeholders hope children make in the future.

In the ideal childhood of the future, all stakeholders hope that, most of all, children will make memories with family. Family time is by far the most common theme and family memories can look like trips, traditions, outings, time with grandparents, playing with siblings, and just family time in general. Time with friends follows in importance, making the need for sustaining healthy, personal relationships very clear.

In addition to maintaining relationships, engaging socially through volunteering and helping others is a strong theme and caregiver/ members and business leaders primarily wish for children to make memories making the world a better place, living sustainably, and remembering world peace. Learning about the world and cultures in it, as well as valuing human experience, is also important.

Primarily business leaders and educators wish for children to make memories surrounding love, happiness, and freedom. They would like for children to remember feeling free, zen, joyful,

Travel is also a valued source of childhood memories and includes sightseeing, visiting historic locations, and experiencing new places in general.

Fostering Character 1. Curiosity: Themes: Be Open, Ask Questions, Be Themselves, Try New Things, Learn, Explore, Grow, Accept Others, Adventure Adjacent Character Traits: Creativity, Perseverance, Confidence Having an open mind and being open to multiple answers to every question, as well as constant change, is important to primarily business leaders. Business leaders also feel that children need to be able to ask questions rather than simply accept what is presented. All stakeholders see curiosity being a catalyst for trying new things, which leads to exploration, learning, and growth. Exploring all the world has to offer and understanding the world as a whole is important.

Curiosity is also important to business leaders to foster perseverance and problem solving.

Curiosity is also key in learning about themselves to discover what they like and don’t like and gain independent thoughts and ideas so they can be their true selves, which is equally important to caregivers and educators alike. Accepting others and learning new perspectives is also fostered through curiosity. Curiosity also leads to adventure as life is boring without it. Curiosity also supports and strengthens creativity and imagination and sparks innovation.

2. Creativity Themes: Ask “What If?”, Expand, New Ideas/Things, Learn/Grow/Explore/, Good for the Soul, Strengthen Imagination, Take Initiative, Overcome Obstacles, Creative Problem Solving, Create New Things, Be Themselves, Think Outside the Box, New Solutions, Create the Future, Create a Better World Adjacent Character Traits: Bravery/Courage According to all stakeholders, creativity is important to ask the question, “What if?” which leads to an expansive worldview and an ability

to try new things to experience the world. It’s important to learn that there are many ways to see the same thing. Creativity is essential in trying new things and initiating new tasks with an open mind and being prepared for and overcoming obstacles. Being courageous and thinking outside the box leads to creative, original thoughts that can be applied to make new ideas tangible. Thinking differently can lead to new approaches to challenges and new solutions.

Creativity is important to imagine and create not only a better world, but a better future. Dreaming for a better future entails doing what their hearts desire, not being bound by constraints of what is considered to be a normal “day to day” or falling into systems that trap us. Creativity also fosters authenticity and allows children to feel like the individuals they are, express that, and put their stamp on the world. Caregivers see creativity as an outlet that feeds the soul and educators and caregivers alike prioritize creativity for its ability to strengthen imagination and combat boredom with imaginative play and an excitement to learn.

3. Confidence/Self-Confidence Themes: Believe in Themselves, Self-Worth, Overcome Doubt, Explore, Support, Try New Things, Empowerment, Expand, Take Risks, Persevere, Be Themselves, Limitless Adjacent Character Traits: Respect, Love, Perseverance, Responsibility It is important to all stakeholders that children have a fundamental understanding of their worth and believe in themselves. Children should know that they are gifted and have self-respect and by extension respect others. Believing in themselves and their ability will help children accomplish things and be self-sufficient in that they don’t need to rely on outside sources for validation.

Believing in themselves requires self love and, as a result, leads to sharing that love with others.

Confidence will support children throughout their lives and empower them to get through life without feeling self-conscious while also exploring new horizons and appreciating this amazing world. Confidence will also help children see that they are limitless and that they can do anything they put their minds to and there is

nothing that can stop them. The sky’s the limit!

Confidence will also enable children to have selflove and learn about themselves. Learning about themselves will enable them to be their authentic selves and express their feelings and be genuine.

This will serve as a foundation to expand and continue moving forward by trying new things and taking risks. Confidence also serves as a foundation for persevering through challenges, knowing that they can handle failure, and meeting challenges head on and overcoming them.

Confidence also helps children thrive in a world that doubts them because they’ll know it’s okay to make mistakes and then self-advocate and ask for help. Mistakes are a part of learning. Confidence also encourages independence in that they will be able to trust themselves and their choices.

4. Critical Thinking

Adjacent Character Traits: Kindness, Compassion, Respect Understanding others is important to all stakeholders, noting that children should be able to understand others’ circumstances, struggles, feelings, morals, perspectives, lives, and overall the world around them.

Being able to understand others fosters acceptance of differences and an ability to live in community and connect with others to be a good friend and be known. Being able to connect also fosters an ability to build teams and co-create.

Acceptance also fosters kindness, compassion, respect, and a caring attitude so children can take action and help others and imagine and build a better world.

Themes: Ask Questions, Make Decisions, Think for Themselves, Problem Solve, Meet Challenges, Develop Skills, Navigate the World

Empathy also allows children to correct themselves.

Adjacent Character Traits: Resilience, Perseverance

On the flip side, a world without empathy leads to cruelty, negligence, and arrogance.

Critical thinking is important for children to be able to ask questions and think for themselves.

It is important to be able to ask the right questions to discover the right answers and identify solutions, leading to problem-solving skills. Problem solving skills will enable children to understand and solve complex problems as well as overcome them in their everyday lives, and navigate challenges, as well as the changing world. Asking the right questions also leads children to be big thinkers and think independently so they can make good or smart choices for themselves. They will need to make lots of hard choices in life and determining what is true or false will help them discern the truth and make choices accordingly. Critical thinking will also enforce school skills and help children develop their minds. They will be able to multitask and thrive.

4. Empathy: Themes: Acceptance, Connect with Others, Be Compassionate, Take Action, Understand Others

5. Love: Themes: Necessity, Safety/Security, Self-worth/value, Self-love, Growth, Love Others, Connection Adjacent Character Traits: Empathy, Confidence, Kindness At a very high level, one participant (purple) says that children are love itself, yet the world takes it away over time.

Love is also viewed as a necessity that serves as a foundation for life. It is stronger than hate, ensures no one is alone, and without it life can be miserable.

Love is equated with safety, stability, and groundedness.

From that safe space it is important for children to know, through love, that they are valued, worthy

and deserving of being loved for who they are, and important. Children should be therefore able to love themselves and develop confidence, leading to growth. Love and self-love helps children thrive, flourish, and bloom without limits. Love helps children express positive feelings and glow.

With self-love and growth comes the ability to love others and be better humans. The ability to love others allows children to learn empathy and connect with others by building relationships and making the world a better place. It also allows children to treat others with kindness.

5. Respect: Themes: Reciprocal, Life Skills, Good of Humanity, Self-respect, Respect for Things, Respect for People Adjacent Character Traits: Responsibility, Kindness, Empathy Humanity needs respect and it is the key to life.

Respect fosters collective ownership through building better community and living spaces.

It also allows children to live in a diverse world comprising different people, ideas, and perspectives. Respect enables all to play together!

Respect is a fundamental life skill that improves communication, fosters responsibility for their actions, creates and maintains boundaries and discipline, and is at the heart of friendship.

Treating others with respect means treating others as they want to be treated and also learning to receive kindness and caring as they receive it. Self-respect will help children become independent and grow as an individual. It’s not only important for children to develop selfrespect but also to respect the people and things around them. Treating people with respect means understanding that others have value, too, as well as how actions affect others. Kindness in all situations is necessary and so is respect and understanding for people from all places and cultures. Having respect for things means treating the things in our lives well so they last longer.