Kids are smarter than we think. The technology-driven world is evolving rapidly, and some coping strategies almost lay the groundwork for how your child can relate to the social environment and easily solve complex problems. From how to care for injured birds to cooking, kids need to master some basic life skills before they turn ten. In fact, this is essential to thriving in the ever-changing environment around us.
The sheer volume of information we process every day can be overwhelming. Our kids are also sailing in the same boat as they become more exposed to the internet. As a result, it's easy to miss out on the practical life skills that make them responsible.
It's true: we can't control the path our children will take, but we can prepare them for life. In addition, kids spend most of their time at home these days, making it a unique entry opportunity. So, if you want to teach your child key life skills to prepare them for anything in life, here's a list of things they need to be aware of, perhaps mastering by age ten:
1. Prepare a meal
Assign tasks to your child to help you work in the kitchen. Give them age-appropriate jobs that are both simple and a bit challenging so they can think critically and find solutions. Preschoolers can make meals that do not require the use of an oven, stove or knife. They should learn to sort out a bowl of pre-cut fruit yogurt or spread jam/peanut butter on bread. Kids around five can make sandwiches and smoothies, while kids around ten can make omelets or toast under your supervision.
2. Use the Internet wisely
Since most of our kids spend a lot of time on various media platforms (social media is their "second home"), they need to learn good habits and practices to navigate the digital world. These are:
Only chat with people they know in real life.
Be kind to the people they interact with.
Get your permission to publish and share pictures, download files, or click random pop-ups.
Ask you before providing information such as their full name, address, school details, and even phone number.
If they feel any discomfort, please contact you.
3. Development of spatial knowledge
Nowadays, an essential modern life skill for children is learning how to find or reach a destination. Teach your child to mentally map their area, school, and home. As technology takes over the physical map, your child must be able to follow the navigation direction through the electronic device).
4. Build healthy relationships
Nowadays, it is common to find children glued to their mobile phones, and there is little effort to go out and communicate with people. Most kids have phone conversations with their friends and family via text messages instead of having real face-to-face conversations. This is a major issue because children should be able to engage in dialogue to move up the career ladder and develop healthy social bonds. They help to develop social skills and also help maintain good mental health .
5. Know how to perform any exercise
Your child may not be able to participate in the Olympics, but learning a sport or participating in a sporting activity is a vital life skill for physical health and overall well-being. So sign them up for a sport of their choice and get them active – let's not forget to learn to have fun outside of electronics.
6. Take care of other creatures
Make your child aware that this earth is home to several other creatures like us. We are all guests on this planet. Therefore, we need to cooperate and treat our fellow human beings – plants and animals. Your child should be able to take care of pets, take care of their wounds (if any), and do whatever it takes to survive them. This will also help them develop compassion and love. If you're not ready for them to have dogs, goldfish and even houseplants are other more readily available options.
7. Be a smart consumer
In a consumerist society, it's easy to get carried away. Let your child know what the budget is and what their monetary goals should be. They should know how to buy something cheaper that fits their budget, or buy it later, as the current financial situation does not support it. To do this, you can take them to the grocery store, discuss prices and discuss options. Plus, you can give them a little pocket money and teach them to put their money into something to learn good financial skills. To incorporate fun into financial learning, you can help them explore games or online apps to teach them about money.
8. Value what they have
Anything that was out of our power earlier was easily available with the click of a button. The downside is that our children may develop a tendency to waste. Therefore, your child needs to understand the value of what they have, preserve and protect it. It basically translates into your child learning to tidy up their property and keep their surroundings tidy. Plus, you can teach them the value of donating old toys, clothes, stationery, and books to the less fortunate instead of throwing them away.
9. Relax and calm yourself down
If your child feels the need for someone to accompany or seek entertainment all day long, they may suffer from serious attachment or entitlement issues as adults. To avoid this, set aside a dedicated area or "quiet corner" in your house and leave them alone, at least three times a week. It should get them into the habit of enjoying their personal space and alone time.
10. Express your gratitude
Your child should know how and when to say "please", "I can", and "thank you". Gratitude will enable them to interact with civilization and teach them to be humble, appreciate what they have, and work with others to thrive in this world.
It seems that all the time in the world allows your child to learn, but conventional wisdom and science confirm that your child absorbs information and learns faster than adults. So, why wait? The sooner you start, the better! What other life skills do you think children should master at age 10? Please share your thoughts with me in the comments section below.