From tying shoelaces and riding a bike to being able to say sorry if you’ve made a mistake, these are skills that will stand your child in good stead as they set off on their life.
Have you heard the term “helicopter parents”? This refers to a type of parenting where some parents have a tendency to swoop in and do everything for their children or try to protect them from upsetting circumstances, difficult situations or sadness. Frank A. Clark said, “The most important thing that parents can teach their children is how to get along without them” – and these life skills for kids are a great way to get started.
Life Skills Every Kid Should Learn
Equipping our children with these skills allows them to grow and develop outside of our presence, to feel accomplishment at completing a task on their own, and to prepare for ‘real life’ as they get older.
While it may seem like toddlers and preschoolers are too young for this life lesson, it really is never too early to start. A small amount of independence to complete a task (tidying up their toys, attempting to make their bed, and so on) can then be built upon as they grow.
Essential Life Skills
- How to swim
- How to cook a healthy meal for themselves
- How to budget and pay bills
- How to put on laundry
- Learn another language
- How to have good manners
- How to be gracious in losing
- How to be a good team member
- How to have empathy
- How to boil an egg
- How to unblock a drain
- How to tie shoelaces
- How to ride a bicycle
- How to change a plug
- How to fix a puncture on bike (or change a car tyre)
- How to light a fire
- How to wash windows
- How to set a mouse trap
- How to neatly wrap a gift
- How to write a thank you letter and be grateful
- How to clean a bathroom
- How to write a resume/CV
- How to write a job application letter
- How to change a light bulb
- How to make a cup of tea or coffee
- How to bake bread
- How to make a bed
- How to tell the truth
- How to ask for help
- How to say sorry
