Your child will learn a wide variety of math, science and history skills at school, but some of the more fundamental "life skills" can only be taught by you. By teaching kids some of the basics of responsibility, common sense and decision-making, you can empower your child with the necessary tools to face the "real world." According to Education.com, the single most effective way of teaching your child these skills is by setting a good example.
Decision-Making
For the modern kid, making choices can be difficult, especially considering the overwhelming number of products, technologies and recreational activities they have to choose from. Education.com recommends introducing age-appropriate choices at each stage of your child's growth. For example, a 3-year-old might get to choose what type of snack she'd like, whereas a 12-year old could decide on a pair of sneakers. You can ask your older child or teen to give her opinion on pop culture or news stories.
Finances
Learning the value of money without becoming overly materialistic is another important skill to teach children. According to "Parents" magazine, kids often take an interest in money at a young age and may enjoy playing with coins to mimic their parents.
You can help kids learn about money at an early age with a toy cash register or play wallet, and you can encourage them to save with a piggy bank. Conversely, be sure to demonstrate to them how much you value "free" things, such as a flower or a drawing they made.
Responsibility and Character
Teaching your kids about character is perhaps the most important life skill, says Education.com. Parents usually want their children to adopt their own values, so the most powerful means of teaching is by example. According to Education.com, it's particularly important not to contradict with your behavior what you've instructed in words.
Another important key to teaching responsibility and character is to keep the rules age-appropriate. For example, it's not realistic to command a baby to stop crying, Education.com reports.
Street Savvy
Teaching your kids how to adequately protect themselves is important, but it's also crucial to give them a fundamental sense of safety, says Education.com. You should balance your warnings about society's dangers with a general sense that people are good.
Education.com suggests telling kids that although it's acceptable for them to enlist the help of a strange adult, it is not OK for a strange adult to approach a child. You should also encourage your child to talk to you about anything that confuses or disturbs her.
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