09/14/2021
From the moment our children are born they are on a journey to independence. But to live independently without us one day, as adults, we need to teach them essential life skills. They cannot learn life skills out of a book or at school. These are things they learn from their parents and from other important adults and role models in their lives.
⠀⠀
To be ready for school involves mastering certain life skills so that they can happily and confidently manage being at school without you. Sending a child to school without life skills is like driving a brand new car without an engine. Life skills involve a number of very practical things. By the time your child goes to school she must be able to:
⠀⠀
- Feed herself at mealtimes and make a sandwich and juice by herself
- Go to the toilet by herself, and remember to wash her hands afterwards
- Blow her nose without help
- Get up and get dressed by herself in the morning, and tie her shoelaces by herself
- Bath and wash herself
- Remember at least three instructions at once
- Concentrate for at least 20 minutes on an activity or game
- Follow a basic routine - To look after her own possessions
- Go on play dates to a friend without you
- Understand and label her basic emotions/feelings
- Organise her own fun and games without an adult constantly telling her what to do
- Complete tasks without needing praise every step of the way
- Swim well enough to be water-safe, identify drinkable sources of water
- Cross the road safely
⠀⠀
Good life skills are the basis for getting along with others, fitting in to society, and having the confidence to believe “I can.” .