Old Fashioned Life Skills That Every Child Should Know

Young children these days are becoming more tech reliant, with a survey finding that 25 percent of kids under the age of six own a smartphone. Moreover, half of these children spend more than 20 hours a week on their devices. While there’s no denying that raising kids to be tech-savvy is a must to help them advance in these times, it’s also important to teach children basic skills that can benefit them as they grow. Learning skills that have been passed down from generation to generation enables children to be more independent and be equipped to deal with the challenges of everyday life. Here are some old fashioned skills that every child should know.

Sewing and embroidery
Sewing is one of the skills that has fallen by the wayside, with a poll revealing that 60 percent of people don’t know how to sew. Although most people buy their clothes from shops and online stores, knowing how to mend a torn dress, fix a broken zipper, or sew on a button could come in handy in case of a fashion emergency. Moreover, people who know how to sew can save a lot of money on clothing repairs by doing it themselves. Teach your child how to sew by hand first, then once they’ve mastered the basics, they can learn how to sew on a sewing machine. Meanwhile, kids who may want to express their creativity through sewing can also learn to embroider using a beginners or electronic machine. Embroidery is a fun way to personalize their things, so encourage this activity by giving them the supplies that they need, such as colored thread and embroidery patterns.

Choosing and buying produce
Knowing how to buy prepared food is one thing, but actually learning how to choose fresh produce is another skill that should be learned by children. Take your children to a vegetable garden or the market and teach them what to look for when buying fruits and vegetables. When you're at the grocery store, make sure that they know how to tell if a piece of red meat or chicken has gone bad. It’s also important to teach them to look for the expiration date on the packaging so they can be assured of fresh ingredients. Learning how to do so can keep kids healthy, and it also reduces the risk of getting an upset stomach or food poisoning.

Cooking meals
Learning how to cook can benefit a child in many ways. Cooking allows you to make nutritious meals, as you control what goes into your food. It also enables you to save money, as making your own food at home is so much cheaper than dining out at a restaurant. To teach a child how to cook, start with easy dishes such as scrambled eggs, a basic tomato pasta, or pancakes. Once they’ve mastered a few dishes, allow them to become more adventurous with food, and encourage them to try adding other ingredients to vary the taste of their dishes.

Cleaning and organizing
Most children know how to pick up after themselves, but very few know how to properly clean their surroundings and organize their belongings. Learning how to clean and organize teaches kids about the importance of hygiene and order, and it also teaches them about responsibility. Start by teaching them how to sweep the floor, dust the furniture and organize their closets. As they get older, they can learn how to do more difficult tasks, such as cleaning the bathroom, doing the laundry, and organizing the pantry and refrigerator.

Teaching kids some basic skills prepares them to cope with the challenges of real life. Try teaching your children some of these old fashioned skills today, and equip them to become independent and responsible adults in the future.