Things we need to teach our kids – Help with list please
I am presently working on a list of things that we need to teach our kids for my new book. I want to give parents a large list of things we need to teach our kids. I am not going to do an age for each list item as different kids can do things at different ages. By the time your child is 18 they should be able to do all of these things. The list starts off with things for small toddlers and grows from there.
There are also only 4 options (in my opinion) for where we are in each category.
- Your child has successfully learned this item
- You are presently teaching your child how to do this
- You have not started teaching your child this item yet
- Your child knows how to do it but you do it for them – over-parenting
I would love to know what are some things I am missing. Please add in comments or send me a PM or an email.
Things that all children will need to learn at some point
- Put away your own clothes
- Use utensils properly
- Eat in a proper way. Mouth closed. Not talking while chewing etc
- Be able to blow their own nose
- Go to the bathroom on your own
- Put away their own toys
- Tie their own shoes
- Learn how to swim
- Brush their teeth
- Learn how to bath or shower themselves
- Put away towels after bath or shower
- Learn how to turn on and off the TV and other technology
- Learning the basics of money. Learning the difference between spending, saving, and giving
- Learn to say “Please” and “Thank-You”
- Learn how to ride a bicycle
- Learn how to vacuum, dust, sweep, clean windows, toilets etc
- Help clean up around the house
- Help set the table with cutlery, plates, glasses etc
- Learn how to cook
- Clear the table and do the dishes
- Take care of their pets
- Keep track of their school items.
- Wash a car
- Understand the basics of sex
- Change a flat/change snow tires
- Learn how to shovel the snow, put out salt
- Learn how to work in the garden, cut the lawn, trim trees, plant flowers
- Put air in a tire or their bike, basketball, soccer ball etc
- Be involved volunteering somewhere to better their community
- Get up in the morning without help from a parent
- Go to bed at a reasonable time without a parent
- Filling out paperwork for school or clubs. Parents should just be adding in information the kids don’t know or understand. Parents, of course, read it over when done before signing
- Doing the laundry. I did not say their laundry. If they are putting on laundry they can grab the family laundry basket and do a load or 2.
- Emailing adults like coaches or other adults with cancellations etc
- Do their own homework. If they need help from us as adults we are always there. This also does not mean we are talking to them about homework and seeing how they are doing. It is the idea that we are not going to hound them to get their homework done. But we will be involved in their education.
- Advocate for themselves at school and in society. If they get a grade that is incorrect they should be able to talk to the teacher in a respectful way and advocate for why they should get a better mark
- Understand proper respect for friends
- Learn proper use of technology. We often call this digital citizenship
- Learn how to drive
- Be involved with saving for post-secondary education
- Learning how to date properly. If dating is looking for a future spouse the end game is different than just looking for current companionship in life
- Take control of their own faith journey. They are not a Christian because their family is Christian. They should be a Christian because they believe it is true and decide to follow Christian faith for themselves.
- Take control of their own future. Choice of education, job etc
- Take control of the own extra curriculum activities.
- Learn how to take control of their personal fitness
- Learn about a proper diet
- Learn proper sleep hygiene (no screens before bed, cooler room etc)
- Directions in and around your town
- Learn how to address and use maps on a phone
- Learn how to ride bus, train, subway
- Go out for dinner on their own without parents and understand costs, taxes, tipping etc
- Learn how to control addictive tendencies of smartphones, video games etc. When do they have downtime from technology each day
- Learn how to deal with a cold, flu etc
- Learn how to travel without parents. Passports,
- Learn a good work ethic. Find a part-time job
- Learn how to talk to other adults.
- Learn how to talk to people in a dating relationship. Many men today are struggling with real-world relationships due to the extraordinary amount of time on video games
- Learn how to deal with teachers, bosses, other adults that they don’t like
- Learn how to deal with criticism
- Learn what to do if they do not know what to do
What am I missing?
Thanks
#Navigating Everything
Excellent list!!! –
I would add financial planning & budgetting – This may include figuring out what a certain type of employment will provide in wages per year, seeing real life costs of heat, hydro, water, groceries, tithing, insurance, rent, savings, etc. Also, explain how income tax is calculated. Cost of owning/operating a vehicle
Learn a hobby, skill – perhaps a marketable skill.
Brett, I would also add learn to own up to their mistakes and saying “I’m sorry” (NOT my bad!)
As well, learn/understand that life’s not fair.
Neither of these are tangible things, but make a real difference in the maturity of a person.
Defo!
And read/re-read privacy terms on all social media before posting/signing-up
Great list! Managing money should include budgeting and balancing a cheque book.