Comments on: 9 Important Skills We Should Teach Our Kids

By: Corinne

Corinne — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 14:57:29 +0000

Speak and spell in coherent sentences. Be respectful and kind. Put the device down when engaging with other humans. Don’t be know it all….there is something to be learned in everything we do.

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 07:00:07 +0000

Really interesting list and I like the fact that swimming is on there (such a fun thing to be able to do with friends too).
I would also add Nurturing – that might be anything from basic gardening (growing cress!) to having a pet and helping to look after it to also helping with younger siblings or elderly grandparents. Teaching the skill to think beyond yourself and see the benefit of that.

By: Pouline

Pouline — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 09:58:29 +0000

Great article!, instead of car care, I would say the skill to fix things in general… and also add gardening and farming skills. It will be very important in the future.

Thanks a lot! Love your blog.

By: Misty

Misty — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 16:56:58 +0000

Sometimes it really is the little things! Simple but powerful tips. As a former elementary school teacher I give this 2 thumbs up, 5 stars, and a Huge happy face sticker!

By: Cass

Cass — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 18:55:12 +0000

I am really a very lucky individual when it comes to almost all of these. My mother had me in the kitchen helping with food as soon as I was big enough to hold a spoon. My uncle Jim taught me and my brothers to swim, mostly by throwing us in the water so we could figure it out. My mother also let us handle all of our own money, and she let us waste it if we wanted, but we soon learned that it was better to save for something we want a lot then to get candy/little things on impulse. My school made us all take both self-defense, CPR and first aid classes, and even though I hated it at the time, I now know how to deal with little injuries. My mother also treated me and my brothers as intellectual equals through our teen years, and we had many spirited debates about anything and everything. She also made us clean our rooms, do dishes, vacuum, etc. My high school English teacher skipped the section about Romeo and Juliet, and instead taught us how to tie a tie and change a car tire, oil, etc. The only thing on this list I have never had any exposure to is coding, and I need to work on that. I am extremely grateful for all the people in my life that made me so well-rounded, especially my mother (single mom extraordinaire!), and my school teachers, for teaching me to be self sufficient.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 16:32:08 +0000

In reply to Stella. These are some of the most important "skills" of all. Many of the ones listed are about taking care of yourself. Equally important is actively caring about others..

By: Dusty

Dusty — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 01:16:20 +0000

Code.org is a fun coding site for kids too.

By: Sylvia Leggett

Sylvia Leggett — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 05:39:04 +0000

As a mom of three I read some very unsettling information from FoodBabe this evening that is like to share with as many moms as possible. The link is below. Our children are being feed Roundup in their food, sadly this is not limited to just ordinary foods it’s food that are geared toward our children. Even more shuttering. I was shocked to read that it’s even in baby food. I’m a huge fan of wellness Moma and I know that many of you all have subscriptions for emails from here because we all have a common interest of our children’s wellbeing. I am applaud that our government has been aware of this and allowed it to continue. Please feel free to share this with everyone you can and on media. The only way we have a chance of protecting ourselves and our children is by being aware that there is poison in our everyday foods. Including “organic” however, organic contains a very small amount of it, leaving us only with a choice to try and stop this from continuing any further.

https://foodbabe.com/monsanto/

Roundup weedkiller is in our children’s food even babyfood, and no one is trying to warn us…..

By: Nicci

Nicci — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 12:55:09 +0000

In reply to Drew Brazier.

I think that Grit is a quality that comes through the process of learning skills, observing the world and how to navigate through it and developing character. Many of the skills you mention, on your list, teach self reliance and self confidence. Without knowing how to choose wisely, stick with something that is difficult, respect others (manners, courtesy, listening, and others time, property, feelings, etc.) one cannot develop Grit. We have come to a place where kids are not taught accountability. They’re hovered over, excused for everything, treated like royalty, have high expectations that their wants and needs are more important than anyone else’s …
the hard things in life, which many seem to be unable and unwilling to expose their little precious ones to, are the only ways for them to build a meaning life and learn how to thrive and excel.

By: Charmaine

Charmaine — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 13:04:33 +0000

I always get so surprised when I find out that some people can’t swim. My parents taught me to swim at such a young age, and it’s definitely been helpful. Not to mention, it’s healthy too.

By: Kara

Kara — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 12:01:01 +0000

In reply to Shannon Willis. I think this is a must! At some point our kids are going to move out and knowing that they can fix a toilet or how to fix a squeaky door would be fantastic.

By: Selina

Selina — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 21:19:24 +0000

Thanks Katie, the list is amazing!

By: Drew Brazier

Drew Brazier — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 06:39:31 +0000

In reply to Gail. I really like this idea of Grit! Would love to hear about how you teach kids Grit. I am a health psychologist and father of 4 children. I have studied grit and helped clients with this important concept. That said, would love to hear more of what you consider you important in teaching this!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 01:09:01 +0000

We should be teaching our kids meditation too! Such a valuable tool for learning resiliency, patience and respect.

By: Moet

Moet — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 14:25:31 +0000

Teach then The Word of God (Bible)

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 02:50:43 +0000

I think character traits and survival skills are at the top of our list.
Teaching a child to walk in the Fruits of the Spirit and also, very practically, simple things like building a fire, using the sun and stars for direction
An incomplete thought, but didn’t want these to be left out =]

By: Dieketseng

Dieketseng — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:42:47 +0000

Thanks Katie, the list is so wonderful. I believe we should teach our kids Prayer, Good behaviours and attitude in Life. We need to teach them to reverence the LORD as well because He is the Creator of all the Universe.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 11:21:21 +0000

I agree that kids need basic skills that so many are never taught. I wouldn’t have thought about coding, although we foster it in our kiddos. It is important. I am amazed at how many adults don’t know how to balance a check book. Kids need to know this.

By: Helen G.

Helen G. — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 03:18:51 +0000

Negotiation skills and ability to learn a language from another culture.

By: LISA

LISA — Sun, 06 Nov 2016 22:54:58 +0000

Manners! You could spend $100K+ in education and degrees but if you have no manners, who will hire you?