As your child transitions from their teenage years to adulthood, it’s important for them to learn everyday life skills that are essential. Some of these everyday tasks are cooking, managing money, handling clothing, and more. Individuals who can handle certain everyday tasks are likely to be happier and more confident in what they do.
Check out these life skills your teens should know.
Cooking Skills
Knowing food skills is one of the most important everyday tasks your child should know. Here are some of the things your teen should know how to do relating to food.
- Use a microwave
- Know how to meal plan and shop for a healthy diet
- Be able to read nutrition labels and know if foods are healthy to eat or not
- Be able to prepare, serve, and store food
- Know when to avoid food spoilage
- Cook a well-balanced diet meal
- Know how to use kitchen tools and equipment
Managing Money
Learning to manage and budget money is another essential skill.
- Learn to make a weekly and or monthly budget and to stick with it
- Know how to use a ATM
- Open, use, and balance a checking account
- Know how to apply for a credit card and use it responsibly
- Know how to save up and buy an item they want
- Set aside money to donate to charities
- Know how to keep track of important papers
Handling Clothing
Handling clothing might seem like an easy task, but there are some tips and tricks a teen should know before heading off on their own.
Teens should know how to do the following:
- Mend a seam
- Sew a button on
- Iron clothing
- Fold and put away clothing
- Know what the clothing label symbols means and follow them
- Wash clothing and know how to treat stains
- Know how to wash and dry items by hand
- Pack a suitcase
Skills to Know at Home
Living on your own whether in a dorm room, apartment, or household requires knowing a few essential life skills.
- Be able to find a circuit breaker and use it
- Know where to find and use water and furnace shut offs
- Use a fire extinguisher
- Know how to perform basic first aid
- Fix a running toilet
- How to use household appliances, such as loading a dishwasher the right way
Automobile Skills
Any new beginner driver, whether a teen living at home or living on their own, should know how to handle the tasks and skills that come with driving.
Teens need to know how to do the following:
- Pump gas
- Check oil fluid levels and add oil if needed
- Check washer fluid and add more if necessary
- Know when to get a routine maintenance check on their car
- Jump start a car
- Change a flat tire
- How to add air to tires
- Provide the necessary documents when stopped by the police
One Response
It really is important for kids to learn life skills. My son was 13, and it was like he could care less when I tried to explain stuff. I use http://www.preparemykid.com because they have really good videos and the guy is super funny. My son likes watching the videos because they’re short and funny, and the guy explains things in “kid language.” Then we can talk about it later… or sometimes my kids just “get it”