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)

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)

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.

Courtesy Dr. Karyn Gordon – www.drkaryn.com