Your child is more capable than you realize.
With so much our children can learn in today’s high-tech world, it’s all too easy for them to miss out on practical life skills, the very things that made children very active some years back.
A recent study by a U.S based online organisation found that while 58 per cent of 5 to 10 -year-olds in the same country can navigate a smartphone seamlessly, one out of six kids could sort out their own clothes. It’s better not to be carried away by technology and start teaching these life skills now to put your kid on the path toward independence.
Here are top 10 lifeskills to teach your kids before they reach age 10;
A solid handshake:
If you think this isn’t a skill, think again. Shake hands, make eye contact, listen attentively, and don’t cut people off. These are skills that are more important than ever, given our many distractions- screens. Developing this skill instil confidence, earn trust and build a base for a healthy social life.
Bring back the change: Since we still do some purchases using hard currencies, run some practice transactions by them, with an added incentives so that every time they bring the correct change back, they get to put some or all in their piggy bank.
Know how to save:
Saving money is hard for the best of us, so it’s important to start early with the kids. At first, let them spend half on anything they want, and then put the rest into a piggy bank. Once they have enough saved up take it to the bank and start a savings account. Be sure to show them how to manage their money and help them build out a long-term savings plan.
Cleaning their room:
Cleaning teaches kids how to value their possessions and organize their space. Allow them to experiment with sweeping, mopping, and dusting. It is important to make sure they understand how to organize their room on their own and then to declutter.
Have proper table manners:
With lunches and dinners not going out of style, this knowledge could pay off years later. Kids need to know how to navigate the dining table – Napkin goes in their lap and then on their chair if they need to be excused. No reaching for food, interrupting or chewing with their mouth open. They also should be able to set the table – from left to right; it should be a fork, plate, knife, and then spoon, with the water glass above the knife.
Know how to be alone: It has been proven that kids who can’t be alone for a while without friends or family could develop serious anxiety issues when they are left to their own devices. Given the very busy schedule parents and guardians have, this is bound to happen. To change this, you could devote a nook in your house to a “quiet corner,” that has a comfortable chair, a small work table, and a few calming toys and activities. While they’re enjoying alone time, you’ll get a break, too. Sometimes seeing you stay alone can help them think it’s okay to be alone.
Swimming:
While toddler swimming classes are all the range, some don’t recommend swim classes for kids under four. But with the right guide, your little baby can learn to swim like a fish. Apart from having a cool swim at the beach or the pool, this skill could save a life. So, after your kid’s fourth birthday, get them in the water.
Care for another living thing: Caring for a pet or a plant – and keeping it alive – helps kids learn to be empathetic and show concern for another apart from themselves. If you can’t have a family dog due to the restrictions in your apartment, there are other options such as hermit crabs, a goldfish, butterflies, or even a house plant.
Cook an egg:
Learning to cook offers all sorts of benefits from teaching kids to be creative, time conscious and attentive, use sharp objects safely, and appreciate nutritious foods. Just make sure the first recipes they try will earn them something delicious. Please do not leave them alone with the cooker until you’re sure they can handle it.
Treating a Wound: Teach your child from a young age not to freak out when he sees blood although you must warn the child to avoid contact. Take the child to a class where first aid is taught so (s)he can learn to apply pressure until the bleeding stops, rinse the cut with water, dab on some antibiotic ointment, then apply a bandage. This skill could help save a life another day.
It must be mentioned that caution must be applied when teaching kids these skills to avoid situations getting out of control. If you do not know how to, get the services of a professional.
What other skills were you taught before the age of ten? Please share with us in the comment section.