10 Skills to Know Before Age 10
By the time your child turns 10, you should have started teaching him responsibilities, assigned him weekly chores and begun discussing whether he is old enough to stay home alone for a few minutes at a time. In the middle of their tween years, 10-year-olds are ready to begin taking on more responsibilities.
What are some basic skills kids can learn before 10? Here are some ideas:
Basic household tasks
Teach your child some basic household tasks. If you are busy, out of the house or under the weather, your child should be able to make himself a sandwich, pack a sack lunch for school and be able to prepare a small meal in the microwave. Teaching your kids how to do laundry, run the dishwasher and clean up a spill are good too.
Safety
Keeping kids safe is a huge priority for parents. When our children are young, we begin to teach them how to cross the street safely, bike and use the road safely and to be aware of strangers. By 10, youngsters should go one step further by learning about internet safety and what to do in case of an emergency. “I want them to be safe mentally and physically,” says Lisa Parrish, mother of three. “They should know how to use the phone, procedures for being home alone or in emergencies, safe touch and that no means no.” Kids approaching 10 also should know basic first aid and when to call 911.
Proper hygiene and self-grooming
Understanding the importance of good hygiene and how to take care of their own bodies and hair are appropriate skills for 10-year-olds to master. As the changing hormones of the teen years approach, parents should help kids develop the good habits of frequent showering, proper face and hand washing and wearing deodorant.
Budgeting and saving
The age of 10 is a great time to introduce basic budgeting skills. Kids can learn to select something they would like to purchase, then research the cost and begin saving for it. This helps teach them delayed gratification, the value of the dollar, the reward for hard work and also how to budget and save for things they want. This skill will be critical as they plan for larger purchases in adulthood.
Problem solving skills
When presented with a problem, children often look to the adults in their lives to solve it. Rather than giving your child the answer to the problem, why not let her try to work it out herself? Problem solving skills learned early will benefit kids as they grow older. You also can present your child with different scenarios and ask her what she would do: If you get lost, what should you do? What if you forget your lunch at home? What if you see another child getting teased? If there is a fire in the house, what should you do? Working through different scenarios and practicing problem solving skills will help your child build confidence for when she is faced with a problem.
Value of hard work
Kids need to know the value of hard work, especially as they head off to college or into the workplace. Even middle and high school require a higher level of study habits. Developing good study habits also helps kids learn that their dedication pays off when they receive good grades because of it. To prepare your child for the workforce, assign chores that work toward a family goal, like putting in a garden for everyone to enjoy or saving up allowance to go toward a desired item or activity. Working and persisting through the process will show them the long-term payoff of hard work.
Proper etiquette and speaking skills
A 10-year-old should know how to treat other people respectfully, approach adults in public, have proper phone etiquette, know how to shake hands and express gratitude when someone gives him a gift or does something for him. Electronic communication is so encompassing, and we must teach our children that when having face-to-face conversations, being polite means using proper language rather than text speak.
Caring for others
Kids learn a lot when given the responsibility of taking care of something or someone else. Examples could be a pet, garden or plants, or helping with younger children. These activities teach them responsibility and selflessness.
Outdoor skills
Kids this age can be taught outdoor safety. Fire safety, map and compass use, poison ivy identification and water safety are all good examples. Teaching them these skills encourages youngsters to find outdoor activities they enjoy. Again, we face competition with the screen, and teaching kids how to be safe when pursuing outdoor activities may open a love of the outdoors they have not yet experienced.
Healthy habits
The importance of a healthy diet and routine exercise can never be learned too early. While kids may not be preparing entire meals at age 10, they do need to know that potato chips are not a well-balanced lunch. Kids also should be able to listen to their bodies so they can tell you when they are unwell and what is wrong. Healthy sleep habits and a good diet can help them perform better in school and improve their moods. Kids also should be able to manage their emotions and calm themselves when needed.
These skills are a guideline, as every child and every family is unique. You may find that in your family, you value certain skills over others or that some of these were learned some time ago. “Be flexible with your plan to teach life skills,” says Laws. “Everyone learns at a different pace.”
Sarah Lyons lives in Olathe with her family.