Patience is an overarching skill that underpins all other Critical World Citizenship skills. In our fast-paced world, practicing patience is crucial to learn, to unlearn, to develop and to grow. None of the skills in this toolbox can easily be acquired or applied; each of them requires repeated training and practice. Learning is a life-long process, and we should not expect to ever fully master all the skills or to ever stop honing them. Hence, patience understood as calm perseverance and quiet serenity lies at the core of becoming a ‘Critical World Citizen’. The tips & tricks provided here are relevant for practicing all skills in the toolbox.
Tips & tricks
With these tips & tricks, you can introduce students to the skill in an accessible way.
Check-ins
A check-in happens at the beginning of a session and is meant to give all students a chance to speak during class. The teacher asks how everyone is doing and how they are feeling about the upcoming session. This allows every attendant to tune in and feel more comfortable in the classroom. This way, all students receive equal opportunities to express themselves in an atmosphere where it is safe to do so. Participants can indicate when someone is not feeling well or if something is hindering their performance today. Doing so allows all students to speak up more easily throughout the session, including those who would otherwise be less inclined to contribute. In addition, checking in with students before class trains them to be patient and listen to one another before delving into the course content. Furthermore, it teaches students to listen to otherwise quiet and marginalized voices, to take diverging perspectives and experiences seriously, and to build a space where all voices are heard. If this is done routinely, it will help students to develop the skills of patience and listening.
Teaching activities
With these teaching activities, you can enable students to apply the skill concretely within your educational practice.
One day without talking
One way to train patience is by encouraging students to go one day without talking. This does not directly relate to actual course content. Instead, it asks students to critically reflect upon the subject matter and practice reflexivity with regards to themselves and their environment. A protracted moment of contemplation is likely to impact how they perceive the world around them, and how they address others. Having to work through such a task will test the students’ ability to stay calm and to adapt to their circumstances. In addition, focusing on listening rather than speaking allows alternative and background voices to be heard. In doing so, practicing patience facilitates moments of critical introspection and allows diverse perspectives to emerge.
Assessment
With these assignments, you can encourage students to further train and develop the skill.
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Good practices
These examples provide insight into how students have successfully applied the skill in practice.
Alan, S., & Ertac, S. (2018). Fostering patience in the classroom: Results from randomized educational intervention. Journal of Political Economy, 126(5), 1865-1911.
Guarcello, E. (2021). Character Skills and Patience to Promote Resilience in Children-Education in Primary Schools After Pandemic. European Journal of Social Science Education and Research, 8(2), 110-126.
Smith, M., Namiranian, V., & Seymour, M. (2016). Putting Cultural Competency into Practice: The Empathy, Patience, and Respect Enacted in Full-Time Student Teaching after Study Abroad. Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 72. https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2016/all/72