6 Skills Every Teen Needs

Dr. Karyn Gordon shares these 6 essential skills that will develop not only independence, but also confidence in our kids!

Developing life skills takes time, practice and parents who encourage and facilitate it! Dr. Karyn Gordon shares these 6 essential skills that will develop not only independence, but also confidence in our kids!

Skill #1 – Time-Management (Managing their schedule & appointments)

By high school, teens should be managing their appointments and schedule, and should be the ones making phone calls for appointments (ex. doctors)

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Skill #2 – Waking Themselves Up in the Morning

By grade 4 I recommend that kids have their own alarm clock. Teach them how to set it and that it’s their responsibility to get themselves up and ready.

Skill #3 – Laundry

By grade 8, teens should be doing their own laundry.

Skill #4 – Cooking (how to make 3-6 great meals)

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By grade 8, teens should be learning how to cook 1 meal per week for the family.       

Skill #5 – Cleaning

By JK, kids should start learning how to clean (our 4 year olds have learned how to empty a dishwasher, put away their toys and they are learning how to wash windows). By high school, teens should know how to fully clean (vacuum, clean a toilet etc.)

Skill #6 – Balance A Check Book

By grade 4, I recommend kids have their own bank account (which they manage). Slowly they can learn how to balance a check book, how to make withdrawals, deposits etc.

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Courtesy Dr. Karyn Gordon – www.drkaryn.com