6 life skills to teach before the teenage years
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – It’s Parenting Connection Tuesday and 6 News is here for you with tips, strategies, and helpful reminders from child development experts on how we can be better parents and guardians.
Today’s topic: 6 life skills to teach before the teenage years.
Technology is now a dominant force parents need to contend with while raising their children. Research from AVG Technologies involving 3 to 5-year-old kids shows more small children could play a computer game 58%, than ride a bike, at 43%, and nearly 60% can work a smartphone app, than can tie their shoelaces at just 14%.
Being tech savvy is important, but child experts say, so is teaching your kids how to survive in the real world without Google. As kids grow up, they must know how to do a few things on their own to be successful — so here are 6 life skills to teach young kids before they become teenagers:
Your kids must be able to practice good hygiene. This includes knowing how to get dressed, brush their teeth, wash their face, and shower properly.
Your kids should be able to do their laundry.
Your kids should know how to prepare a simple meal on their own. A bowl of cereal or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich does not count.
Your kids must learn how to develop decision-making skills.
Your kids must know how to appropriately interact with people. In short, have good manners.
Your kids must know how to defend themselves. This doesn’t just mean self-defense tactics, this also includes knowing how to verbally de-escalate a situation.
Child development experts say, that by helping your kids learn these life skills, the more successful they’ll be not just in high school, but beyond.
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