Learning does not have to be tough and boring. If engagement is created then children enjoy the learning process and are happier to focus and push themselves to do better at any skill. So education should go beyond the 3R's and look at the key engagement of our children for true learning to happen.
What then should we be teaching our children if not the 3R's. The 3R's are still required, but do not define the learning as a whole. We need to start focusing on the 21st Century Skills of Creative & Critical Thinking, Communication & Collaboration, Metacognition & Motivation and so on.
When a child is excited to learn, is able to think, communicate & collaborate, knows how to prioritize, motivate themselves and is aware of their own strengths, weaknesses, values then we can truly create leaders in their own right who are innovators, problem solvers and effective decision makers.
We can do with a lot of such future leaders TODAY!