Remote and in-person school can only teach our kids so much. Here are three skills that our kids should learn that we have probably overlooked.
1) LAUNDRY
So many teens and college kids do not know how to do a load of laundry. Kids as young as 5 can start learning the basics. Show them step by step how to load a machine (but not overload), how to measure and add detergent, choose the settings and start the machine. It may help to print out a little cheat sheet of reminders. There may be mistakes, like forgetting the detergent, overloading the machine or not cleaning out the lint trap, but that's how they learn.
2) HOW TO WRAP A GIFT
Something that doesn't occur to parents, not a huge thing but still useful, is how to wrap a present. Children love to give and receive gifts, but can they wrap them? Pre-school and kindergarten age can help cut paper and use tape, while first grade and up can help choose the correct box or bag and test wrapping the paper all the way around before cutting. There will be messes, there will be tape everywhere but your child will learn a new skill, have fun doing it and will take pride in the job they did.
3) PREPARE A SIMPLE MEAL
Most young children have only experienced making cookies in the kitchen. By age 5 kids can handle making sandwiches. Around age 7 they can learn how to cut veggies with supervision. At 10 or 11 kids can use the stovetop for simple meals like mac & cheese or scrambled eggs. Always keep a focus on safety but stay calm, messes will happen. Messes are a good thing, its a learning opportunity to teach your child how to clean up properly as well.
