Day-to-Day Life Skills to Develop in Kids that are (Generally) NOT Taught in School

Everyone thinks of the standard milestones, crawling and walking, talking, being able to read and write, using critical thinking skills, having beneficial social interactions and more. These milestones help us evaluate the abilities and growth of our children. There is also a lot to consider when it comes to the education of our kids from history to math, science to art, and athletics to reading & writing. But are these all the things a kid needs to learn? 

Tweens and Teens have come a long way when it comes to developing life skills. But there are many practical or life skills today that are being left out of the curriculum, or are not being modeled or taught. Listed below are some practical and life skills for different age groups, up until young adulthood. These lists are just a sample of some of the lessons I learned or wish I learned before I went to college.  

Learning starts even before school does. Besides the milestones of grabbing, crawling, walking, and talking there are some basic life skills that young children should be aware of and developing. These are foundational skills that are built upon in later years. 

Skills to start early before school:

• How to Ask for Help

• Developing Empathy 

• Setting the Table  

• How to Respect your Environment 

• Basics of Boundaries 

• Practice Expressing and Talking About Emotions

• How to Introduce Oneself

• How to Act Around Pets vs. Wild Animals

• “Stranger Danger” and General Public Safety 

• Following Simple Directions 

• How to Properly Wash your Hands 

• Parking Lot Safety  

• Table Etiquette 

• Telephone Etiquette 

Going into school with the above skills creates a platform for skills to develop while starting to interact with their peers, educational environments, and the wider world. Many of the skills in this section are either super specific or are general basics that are adaptable to the different situations your child may find themselves in. 

Skills to continue into school aged children:

• Using the Microwave Safely 

• How to Behave in Various Emergencies (Fire, Severe Weather, etc.) 

• How to Address a Letter

• Internet Safety 

• Healthy Relationships with Food

• Exploring Interests and Hobbies 

• Good Grooming Habits 

• Public Manners

• How to Give a Good Handshake 

• Basics of How to Study 

• Active Listening Skills 

• Repairing Simple Clothing Tears or Attach Lost Buttons 

• Using a House Key 

• Saying No to Friends 

• Basic Organization and Cleaning Skills 

• Treating a Basic Wound

• How to Talk to 911 Operators 

• Stress Management and Self-Soothing Techniques 

• Conflict Resolution 

• How to Talk to People you Don’t Know

Once kids come into their teenage years they are searching for more independence and are learning about who they are individually, as well as among peers. They may be able to take on more responsibility or be trusted with more autonomy in their day-to-day life. These practical and life skills reflect that desire for independence and starts to prepare them for young adulthood. 

Skills to pursue for teens:

• How to Pay After a Meal and Tipping Culture 

• How to Do Laundry  

• News Literacy 

• Following a Recipe/Adapting a Recipe 

• Writing Professional Emails 

• How to be Aware of Time and Punctuality 

• Difference Between Different Forms of Payment (Debit & Credit Card, Venmo/PayPal, Cash, Check) 

• Writing your own Signature 

• Keeping to a Schedule 

• The Difference Between Different Types of Cleaning Chemicals 

• Coming Up with a Thoughtful Gift

• Forming Good Nightly and Morning Routines 

• Understanding Logical Fallacies 

• How to Talk to a Doctor/Professional about Symptoms

• Prioritization of Tasks

• How to Read a Map 

• How to Mail a Package/Letter 

• Using a Fire Extinguisher 

• Scheduling your own Appointments (Doctor, Dentist, Hair, etc) 

• Interview Skills  

No one can ever fully prepare someone for adulthood; but considering some of the skills and abilities a young adult might need can get them started on their path. Practical and life skills are the most applicable in this age group as young adults prepare to take on the world by themselves. Whether they are going into higher education, getting a job or career, starting a family, or still figuring themselves out, these skills will aid them in their journey to adulthood. 

Skills to aspire for during young adulthood:

• What to Do When Sick (Doctor vs Urgent Care vs ER)

• How to Keep House 

• How Interviews Work and Best Work Practices 

• Making a Professional Resume and Creating an Elevator Pitch 

• Meal Prepping and Planning 

• How to Use Public Transportation Safety 

• Checking Various Produce for Ripeness

• How to Pay and Understand Bills

• Differences Between Medications and their Uses

• Budgeting   

• Life Planning and the Wide Array of Options Available 

• How to Complete Various Paperwork (Taxes, Registrations, Medical Forms, etc.)

• Community Involvement and Awareness

• How to Gain Soft & Hard Skills Through Continued Self Education (Reading, Online, Libraries, Local Classes)  

• Using an ATM

• Basic Maintenance (Unclog a Toilet/Shower, Changing a Lightbulb)

• Understanding Insurances (Car, Health, etc)

• Car Situations (Getting a Car Unstuck from Snow, Jumpstarting, Changing a Tire, Accidents)  

• Read a Bank Statement 

• Understanding Deals and Coupons 

There are many more practical skills than what is listed above for your child to learn. These are just a starting point for understanding both the specific and general life skills a child learns as they grow up. Many of our classes help tweens and school age children learn and practice these skills. Such as out Kidz Home Alone, Manners 101, Super Kidz Study Skillz and more! Find our full class roster linked here. Your child will continue to ask questions their entire life on ‘how do I do this?’ or ‘what is this?’, but equipping them with life skills and practical knowledge can help them in getting a head start in their adulthood.