10 Home Ec. Skills All Kids Should Know

    I remember very little from my home economics classes. I have proof of my time there—a handmade pillow and a deep-seated need to set the liquid measuring cup on the counter to look at the level—but that’s about it. I’ve spent hours on the phone with my mother or with my nose in a book trying to figure out how to cook, sew and make household repairs.

    We live in a time where home economics is becoming a lost art, and when we need to impart these skills now, more than ever we shouldn’t rely only on schools to do it. Although times have changed significantly, gender issues still influence who studies home economics. But the fact is all boys should have basic sewing skills, and all girls should know how to use a screw gun. Build on what the schools teach to assure your children have a head start in their everyday lives.

• Cooking: Every child, boy or girl, needs to know how to cook. Many of us are part of a generation where the takeout menu reigns supreme, and it’s common to have only the basics of cooking skills. Go farther and teach them how to buy and cook fresh produce; this is your chance to set them on a path to healthy eating habits.
• Sewing: Kids may not need to know how to sew a couture ball gown, but they should know how to repair a rip and sew on a button. Having sewing machine know-how is an enormously useful skill, too. The more they know, the better. 
• Laundry: I know so many adults who have yet to learn how to remove a stain. While they all have managed to figure out the intricacies of a washer and dryer, juice stains remain a great mystery. When kids are old enough to do laundry themselves, teach them. When they can wash their own clothes, they have an important life skill, and you have one less chore on your plate.
• Tools: Every child should know how to use tools. From hammer to chop saw, each tool, its use and how to use it will be information for which your child will always be thankful.
• Household Repairs: Beyond knowing what a tool does, kids should know how to make basic household repairs. Knowing how to fix a leaky faucet or a hole in the drywall will save them a lot of money and time later on in their own lives.
• Balancing a Checkbook: We live in a time where personal debt is starting to choke us all. Teaching our children how to balance a checkbook and budget their household finances will help them to avoid problems with credit cards and loans later on. Start early and make it fun. Play store with Monopoly money and prices on their toys. Don’t avoid talking about the family budget and finances. This can be a great way for them to learn how finances work in the real world.

• Cleaning: More than just dusting and vacuuming, learning how to clean should also include lessons on chemical safety, what each cleaner does and how to clean safely.
• Basic Yard Work: When your kids are old enough, teach them how to use that lawn mower and to rake leaves. Remember to let them know why picking up sticks is so important.
• Gardening: Along with mowing and mulching, knowing how to plant their own garden is a beneficial life skill for children. Teach them about seasonal produce and what to plant when.
• Car Maintenance: Kids may not need to know how to rebuild an engine, but they should at least know where it is. Knowing how to change a flat and check the oil should be a part of learning how to drive.

   As parents, we want to give our children all the skills they need to live a good life. These daily skills will help them achieve that goal. But what if we don’t know how to do all these things ourselves? Learn together! JCCC and MCC have great classes on all these skills. Or take a trip to the public library—they have how-to books on every subject. Grab one up and learn these skills with your child. You both will love having new skills and benefit from the quality time together.

Kerry Chafin is a freelance writer based in Independence and a guide to “Mom Recommends” on www.About.com. She spends the rest of her time teaching her three children cooking, sewing and woodworking—whether they like it or not.