Life Skills for Kids to Learn at Every Age

Kelly R. said:  Whether you choose to invest in swimming lessons or teach your child yourself, learning how to swim and how to act safely around water is an important childhood milestone that can start at quite an early age.

Kelly R. said:  Kids are never too young to learn to be responsible with money, whether it's money from the tooth fairy, a regular allowance or just occasional birthday and holiday cash. Many parents like to set their kids up with different jars for "spend," "save," and "donate" money to help them easily visualize and make decisions about how their money is budgeted.

Kelly R. said:  It takes practice to learn how to hold a conversation with another person and to master the skills of listening, asking questions, and giving thoughtful answers. Try having your kid practice by calling their grandparents, aunts or uncles, who will likely be thrilled to have the chance to chat with your child! You can also use fun conversation starters to help get the discussion flowing.

Kelly R. said:  Let your kids help out as you work on small tasks around the house so they can get comfortable recognizing and using basic tools. They could help use a hammer to hang up a frame, use a screwdriver to tighten screws, or use a wrench to help assemble furniture.

Shila said:  From locking the doors to ensuring that the gas stove dials are completely turned off before bed, acquiring the know-hows behind home safety and security are necessary to observe. Sticking to these precautionary "night check" routines can prove to be life-saving skills later in life, especially when teens are off on their own in college and beyond.

Kelly R. said:  In this age of digital information available at our fingertips, it's still important to have certain things committed to memory. Younger kids are ready to learn their birthdate, phone number, address, parents' full names, and important medical needs or allergies.

Kelly R. said:  When helping in the kitchen, teach kids to read through the entire recipe before getting started to make sure everything is clear. Walk them through gathering the ingredients and tools, understanding abbreviations for ingredient measurements, and how to properly measure liquids and dry ingredients. You can use easy recipes to allow your child to take the lead, or have them help you with more complex dishes.

Kelly R. said:  Kids who understand how to properly set a table will be able to help at dinnertime each evening, but will also never hesitate to pick up the right fork or the right glass when eating elsewhere.

Kelly R. said:  Get your kids comfortable with counting money and calculating change (both bills and coins) well before it's time for their first summer job!

Kristy Pepping said:  There is such a focus at winning all the time that it's hard for kids to be okay when they lose. Kids need to learn that it's okay to come in second, to lose at a game on family night, or to not get selected for a sports team. This lesson will carry them throughout life and make them more well rounded.

Kelly R. said:  Good time management is a skill that takes time to master, but laying the groundwork early will pay off. School-age kids can learn to use an alarm clock to wake themselves in the morning and get ready for the day. Kids managing school assignments and extracurriculars can get comfortable using a planner or calendar to keep track of their responsibilities. Even keeping a shared family calendar in the kitchen can help everyone plan ahead.

Kelly R. said:  It takes a lot of practice for typing to become second nature, but it is a skill that your kids will likely use every day once they reach a certain age. You can find fun typing games for kids online that will help them learn and practice. The effort is well worth the time they will save composing e-mails, papers, and more.

Kelly R. said:  Once kids know how to independently sort their clothes, treat stains, operate the washer and dryer, and measure detergent, this is a great chore for them to handle moving forward. Remember that they can also take care of folding and putting everything away!

Kelly R. said:  Let's do our part to make sure the thank you note doesn't become a lost art form! We can teach our kids to recognize the occasions that call for more than just a verbal "thank you," and how to write a simple but heartfelt note of gratitude.

Kristy Pepping said:  I think kids are constantly communicating via text or online these days. While advancements in technology are great, it takes away the human connection. And with this human component missing, kids seem to have lost manners in the process. So teaching kids basic manners like saying please and thank you is vital whether it's a friend, relative or acquaintance.

Alexandra F. said:  Start with bikes and move on to the car when they are ready! Figuring out what the proper pressure should be by looking at the tire, learning how to use the pressure gauge, and knowing when you've reached the proper air pressure are all important skills for our kids to learn before they drive off on their own someday.

Kelly R. said:  Teach your kids how to be good restaurant patrons by reading the menu, clearly and politely ordering when it's their turn, remembering good manners with the wait staff, and understanding how to tip. You can practice this at home with play food, or by pretending to be at a restaurant at your own dinner table.

Kelly R. said:  Even kids who aren't that interested in cooking will need to know their way around a kitchen someday, so teach them how to stay safe. This means getting comfortable working with kitchen tools like knives and hot stoves, but also understanding food safety considerations like hand washing and keeping surfaces clean.

Kelly R. said:  Teach your kids how to read and navigate using a map. A good way to get started is by printing out a map of your neighborhood and using it to navigate for a fun family walk activity. You can also put them in charge of the map reading next time you visit a theme park together.

Kelly R. said:  Growing up in a household that cares for the environment will make it easier for your child to carry these good habits into adulthood. You can teach your kids to care for the earth through simple acts like conserving water at home, picking up litter on family walks, avoiding unnecessary plastic, and respecting wildlife.

Kelly R. said:  When kids know how to dial 911, they will be able to make an emergency call if an adult is unable to do so. Help them understand where you keep the phone, how to use the phone to make a call, when to dial 911, and how to recite their address and phone number for the operator. Role playing with a hypothetical phone call will help kids get comfortable.

Kelly R. said:  Even if your child isn't interested in sewing as a leisure activity, knowing how to repair a seam or sew on a button will come in handy as an adult - and save money and time on clothing repairs.

Kelly R. said:  Even in these days of digital communication, kids should learn how to properly write a letter, address an envelope, use a stamp, and mail it out. You want them to send you holiday cards one day, right?!

Karina Rojas said:  Along with writing a letter & thank you card, how to write an email is ever so important these days. As an educator, I have had students email the entire message in the subject line. I have also had them forget spelling, punctuation & capitalization. For example, “i wanna retake the quiz cuz I didn’t like my grade,” with no greeting or follow up about availability to make up the quiz. Email etiquette can make a huge difference when they need an extension for a project or to follow up on financial aid status in college. No offense to Grammarly, but it should not be necessary in the first place.

Shila said:  Next time an actual battery needs to be changed in your home, include your kids to watch and give it a try. There's a method to it, right? So many kids these days use electronic devices and are only familiar with charging stations.

Kelly R. said:  Teach your kids why we wash our hands, when it should be done, and how to properly do it. Then get ready to keep reminding them of these things over and over again throughout the years. Check out helpful guidance from the CDC for teaching your kids about proper hand washing.

Kelly R. said:  By the time they are old enough to stay home alone, it's a good idea for kids to know how to locate and operate a fire extinguisher in case of emergency. Take a few minutes to teach your child how to use one, and while you're at it, check the expiration dates on the extinguishers around your house.

Kelly R. said:  Even before they're ready to care for their own injuries, young kids can benefit from our calm explanations of why we apply ice to a bump, gently clean a wound before bandaging, run a minor burn under cold water, or pinch our nose for a nosebleed. Help them understand basic first aid activities and look through your medicine cabinet essentials or first aid kit together, so they'll be less worried and more prepared when it comes time to treat something.

Kristy Pepping said:  In the technology age we live in, kids are constantly plugging in things like ipads, laptops and cell phones. And in the bathroom, older kids plugin items like hair dryers. Safely plugging and unplugging items is super important especially in areas around water like the bathroom.

Kristy Pepping said:  It's important for kids to learn at an early age to share and take turns. By playing simple games with peers or friends, they can master these skills that will help when they are adults on the job or in day-to-day life activities.

Kelly R. said:  Knowing how to effectively plunge a toilet will prevent many potentially embarrassing situations in life. This is a task that nobody wants to call in help for!

Marlena Bailey said:  Every morning my kids and I do devotions together. It’s a great habit to get into to start your day off right and in a spiritual and thankful way. We started this at 5 and now they are 14!!!

Kristy Pepping said:  When kids get to a certain age, they should be responsible for packing their own school lunch. You as a parent or guardian can give them guidelines, but they can put together a simple sandwich, grab a fruit or vegetable and pack it all in their lunch box. This will give them responsibility but will also help teach general nutrition.

Kristy Pepping said:  Little things around the house add up that kids often don't realize. Simply turning off the lights when leaving a room, stopping the water when brushing your teeth, or closing the back patio door to cut down on the air conditioner running. All these little things not only help the environment but help family utility bill costs. And kids can certainly do these easy tasks to help save.

Agreatmom2! said:  Volunteer or help neighbors in the neighborhood.

Vidula Plante said:  This one is for a teen in the last 2 yrs of high school. This is a life skill that will help them stay healthy. And it ties in with time management.

Kristy Pepping said:  Some kids can be picky and especially when it comes to certain foods. A great life skill to master at an early age is to be open to trying new foods and meals. It will make it easier going out for dinner where a kid's menu may not be on hand or to a friend's house who is making a single meal for all families. Plus, you never know what new foods your kids will actually enjoy!