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With technology being a part of our daily lives, our children are exposed to it at a very early age. Most all of us are equipped with one or more smartphones, tablets, laptops, and digital voice assistant devices in our home and undoubtedly you’ve witnessed children learning to use these devices at a very young age. So why not take the opportunity to use their thirst for learning and teach them important life skills. According to a recent study more than half the kids between the ages of 3 and 5 can work a smartphone but less than 15 percent know how to make a simple meal.
Children have a strong desire to mimic you and be involved with any activity that is taking place. They don’t differentiate between simple and difficult, they merely want to be a part of the action because it is how they learn the best. Guiding your kids to learn important life skills will promote independence, so stop doing everything for them and instead teach them what to do. Even toddlers can learn to feed the family pet, plant seedlings, or wrap a gift. Learning these tasks will give them the opportunity to practice motor skills and it will help them gain confidence and build self-esteem.
Here are 5 Life Skills you can start teaching today:
#1 Hammering a Nail
Hammering a nail is useful for minor repairs or hanging a picture on the wall. Hammers come in various sizes and weights, however the lighter it is, the more difficult it is to pound a nail.
Initially your child can learn to hammer a nail into a piece of cardboard until he becomes acclimated with using the tool. Rather than holding the nail and risking a sore finger, place the tip of the nail into the cardboard edge. Eventually your child can hold the nail while hammering and move to practicing with a soft wood, like poplar or pine. While there’s a good chance a finger may get hit, it is a common part of the learning experience and an opportunity to hone the skill of proper aim.
#2 Doing Laundry
Many teens head to college without any idea of how to do their own laundry, but you can prevent your child from experiencing that. Children as young as 6 years of age can learn to sort laundry, operate the washer and dryer, and even fold and put items away. Take your child through each step of measuring the detergent, selecting the correct temperature setting, and starting the machines. It may require a few different sessions and even some mishaps along the way. Remember you’re not aiming for perfection.
#3 Navigation Skills
Navigation skills are essential in life and you can make it a fun learning opportunity. Even with the GPS navigational tools so popular in society today, knowing how to navigate is beneficial. Geocaching is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and find hidden treasures by following a GPS. Have your child lead the family on the hunt or take a trip to the zoo and use the map to find the different animals. Children as young as three can read picture maps and learn directions.
#4 Cleaning the Bathroom
Teaching your kids to use disinfecting wipes to clean the toothpaste spittle’s out of the sink, or wipe the toilet seat after a misaim is an acceptable task for school-aged children. Don’t forget to remind them the used wipes go in the trash not the toilet and have them wash their hands thoroughly afterwards. Older children can clean the toilet bowl when using baking soda and vinegar. After the nontoxic solution has been given a few minutes to disinfect, they can scrub it with a brush.
#5 Treating a Wound
Knowing how to clean a small wound and apply antibiotic ointment and a bandage will teach your child not to fear the sight of blood. And when he knows how to take care of the boo-boo himself, he’ll focus on getting the job done versus thinking about the pain.
When your child learns life skills, it teaches responsibility, independence, and the importance of contributing to the family that will benefit them throughout life. They will find it fun and you just might enjoy the extra assistance from a willing helper.
Thought Starters:
- Assessing Your Child’s Current Life Skills: Reflect on what practical life skills your child currently possesses and which skills they could benefit from learning. Consider how these skills could contribute to their independence and self-confidence.
- Integrating Life Skills into Everyday Activities: Think about opportunities in your daily routine where you can involve your child in practical tasks, such as doing laundry, cleaning, or simple home repairs. Look for ways to make these activities both educational and enjoyable.
- Teaching Safety and Responsibility: Consider how you can teach safety alongside these skills, such as handling tools carefully when hammering a nail or using non-toxic cleaning supplies. Reflect on the importance of instilling a sense of responsibility through these activities.
- Balancing Fun with Learning: Ponder on ways to make the learning of life skills fun and engaging, such as turning navigation into a treasure hunt or making cleaning a game. Think about how to motivate your child to learn these skills without feeling pressured.
- Encouraging Independence and Self-reliance: Reflect on the long-term benefits of these skills for your child, such as fostering independence, self-reliance, and a sense of accomplishment. Consider how mastering these skills now can prepare them for future responsibilities.
Suggested Questions To Ask Your Child:
- Would you like to help me with [specific task, e.g., hammering a nail or doing laundry]?
This question invites the child to participate in a practical life skill activity. It aligns with the article's suggestion of involving children in tasks like laundry or minor repairs, fostering their interest in learning and contributing to household activities.
- How do you think we should go about [specific task, e.g., navigating to a place or cleaning a bathroom]?
Asking for the child's input on how to perform a task encourages their problem-solving skills and independent thinking. It reflects the article’s recommendation to make skill-learning engaging and interactive.
- Can you show me how you would treat a small wound?
This question tests the child's knowledge and ability in a specific life skill—in this case, treating a wound. It's based on the article’s suggestion that children should learn basic first aid skills, such as cleaning a wound and applying a bandage.
- What steps should we follow to make sure we do this task safely?
This question emphasizes safety while learning a new skill, such as using a hammer or cleaning products. It corresponds with the article’s emphasis on teaching children to safely perform practical tasks.
- What other new things would you like to learn how to do?
This open-ended question allows the child to express interest in learning other life skills, fostering a sense of curiosity and eagerness to learn, as encouraged in the article.
