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According to Strauss and Howe in their book, Generations: The History of America's Future, generational change occurs in surrounding communities every 20 years. Some of you may already be familiar with Generation X, Generation Y or millennials, and Generation Z. Now, there is a new term for the next generation, Generation Alpha.
Who is Generation Alpha?
Source: Maclean's
You could say that Generation Alfa is the child of the Millennial Generation and the younger sibling of Generation Z. The groups that enter this generation are those born in 2010 to 2025.
The title Generasi Alfa appeared in 2005, this name was determined from the results of a survey conducted by Mark McCrindle, a social and demographic analyst.
Since the previous generation had used the last letter of the Roman alphabet, finally the naming was decided by following the Greek alphabet pattern which started with 'alpha'.
A generation is not only formed based on people born in the same time period. Each generation that grew up and raised in different years, of course, also has its own characteristics. This character is influenced by politics, culture, or events that occurred during that period.
For example, the Baby Boomer Generation born in the post-war period of the 40s to 60s had a more stable character. They value leadership so that they often collide with the younger generation.
It is different from generation X who is more skeptical and individualistic, followed by generation Y people who are more flexible and more tolerant of change.
Actually, it is not clear what kind of special character the Generation Alfa has, considering that all are still at the age of children. However, it is estimated that the people of this generation are not very different from Generation Z in terms of their shrewdness in using technology.
In fact, Generation Alfa is said to have a higher potential for success in the digital industry when compared to Generation Z.
The world in Generation Alpha
Generation Alpha children are the first generation who have truly coexisted with advanced technology since they were born. It is for this reason that they are also often referred to as the "digital generation".
The sight of a two year old kid who is adept at using software is certainly not an astonishing sight today.
To support this development, some educational curricula in several countries have begun adding computer programming lessons to primary and secondary schools.
The curriculum aims to help form students who are creative and able to use technology to produce solutions in solving problems.
Raised in an era where technology is constantly evolving, Generation Alfa can play an important role in influencing various industries to continue to evolve and create the latest innovations.
The Alpha generation also has an impact on the dynamics of the world. With easy access and communication globally, children belonging to this generation may be better able to expand their linguistic communication skills.
Raising children in the digital age
Of all the advantages, it turns out that children belonging to this generation are also thought to have a higher risk of mental health problems. Some of them are anxiety disorders and depression.
This is not surprising, considering that children are required to always be progressive. A world that encourages them to always move faster can also put pressure on children, especially in academics.
Therefore, it is important for parents to work closely with teachers at school so they can always know how things are going. Consultation with the teacher also helps you in formulating strategies to avoid problems that may arise in the future.
In addition, the Generation Alfa is also considered to be more fun with their gadgets. So, it is important for you to limit your child's time in front of the device or television.
Do not use gadgets as weapons to calm your child when he is whining. Later, this habit will unconsciously make children addicted to gadgets. As is well known, exposing a child to a device for too long is also a danger to his health.
Sometimes, the use of devices in children can be influenced by how often they see their parents struggling with these gadgets. Try not to look at the cellphone too often, especially on several occasions such as at dinner or on weekends.
Improve communication between you and your child by often inviting him to talk and tell stories. Also take time to play outdoors with your child. Every now and then, bring along friends as well, this will also train your little one's social skills.
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