Life Skills
The other day, I read an article about the necessary life skills for adulthood. The list included how to make an omelet, how to sew on a button, how to do laundry, how to clean a bathroom properly, how to read a map, and how to write a business letter.
This list encouraged me to think about younger children and how to develop a sense of achievement by learning to perform simple tasks that will always serve them well. These basic skills include helping with the laundry.
Children can learn to sort colors and, with some guidance, use the washing machine and even fold clothes. Learning to plant seedlings and grow a vegetable or a plant is rewarding for children of all ages. Knowing how to wrap a present is never lost on anyone. Since we all like receiving wrapped gifts, we should happily wrap them for others. Learning to write thank you notes may seem old-fashioned, but being appreciative will never be out-of-style or lost on the receiver of such a note.
Naturally, it is so important to learn basic survival skills. Children who can prepare a simple meal will never be hungry. Before eating that meal, learning to compare prices will improve money sense. Who wouldn’t benefit from learning that skill? How to hammer a nail is a skill that requires coordination, and we all know that practice makes perfect. Knowing how to treat a wound to avoid infection will forever be a valuable skill, as will navigating from one place to another. Parents would be wise to have their children help them go places by allowing them to lead the way on foot or even in the car. GPS is great, but developing the ability to read a map is critical know-how, especially when one wants to get somewhere, and the GPS is not doing its job. Knowing how to make a bed and genuinely tidying up is another of those skills often lost in youth, but it is so valuable if habituated.
It’s never too early for parents to teach their children basic skills for life. Being able to manage oneself is an integral part of the developmental process. As with most things, the only way to achieve good results is to do it often. Once skills are mastered, they can be honed to a higher level of sophistication, like cooking. Enabling children to develop skills that lead to autonomy gives them a sense of control and genuine self-worth.
Parents often ask me how they can help their children develop grit and self-confidence. Well, here’s a start. Help your child learn basic skills that will make them feel empowered and proud. Encourage your children to do more for others with these skills. Giving is also an important skill to learn and a virtue, too, one that pays back in heaps!