What basic skills should we teach our children - and at what ages?

maman

marisco wrote: »

I forgot that above everything else teaching a child manners is one of the best things you can instill in them. Knowing when to say please and thank you, when to not interrupt and how to respond politely to people will get them far in life. A true life skill.

Thank you for that. Having just received a handwritten and handmade thank you card from my DGD1 for her birthday present I'd stress the need for saying thank you. I think children should be taught to send thank you cards/letters as soon as they can make marks with a pencil. Obviously, as they get older they'll need less help.

Following on the 'teaching by example' theme, I believe it's hugely important to thank children, praise them and treat them with good manners and respect. I cringe when I'm out and about and hear the way some people speak to their children.

Dunroamin

glitter_fairy wrote: »

Thats not how that sounded at all

It did to me.:)

PinkLipgloss

maman wrote: »

I cringe when I'm out and about and hear the way some people speak to their children.

Ah yes - and same said people are appalled by the way their children speak to them!

If it wasn't so tragic I'd laugh.....

Mupette

Dunroamin wrote: »

So, if they're not engaged and interested, you just stop bothering?

no you should not.

not one parent can say there are perfect, that doesn't exist, you try your best.

cheepskate_2

gibson123 wrote: »

I was brought up with no chores etc, would occasionally be asked to walk dog etc. Moved out of my parents home and didn't need a doctorate in cleaning to keep house

glitter_fairy

cheepskate wrote: »

Thought looking after kids was a parents responsibility, not left to older children to do.
too many people dump all their "chores" onto their kids...all in the name of giving them responsibility.

I let my children be children for as long as i can, Doesn't really take a genius(or training) to work out how to squirt flash on a bath and wipe

I was brought up with no chores etc, would occasionally be asked to walk dog etc. Moved out of my parents home and didn't need a doctorate in cleaning to keep house

There is a difference in "looking after yourself" i.e tying shoe laces, getting ready .......and doing your parent chores.

My children have jobs to do. They live in the house too and have to do their share. We are a family and work together.

As for looking after younger children, there is nothing wrong with helping out. Im sure no one is suggesting the older children raise the younger ones but part of being a family is working together and helping each other out.

Miss_Havisham

How to be "money-wise". Understand budgets, how bank accounts, direct debits and credit cards work, when borrowing is good and how to do it, balancing accounts, why and how to save. Shopping around for utilities, mobile phone, broadband stuff. Understanding bills and how to pay them. Good understanding of tax so they can verify their tax code etc.

kat360

I know this is on a slightly different note but I'm currently trying to teach my nearly 3 year old daughter how to cross the road. I'm surprised how many grown ups will cross without looking:mad: It sets a bad example for children.

I believe that children should be taught manners from an early age, my two girls (nearly 2 and nearly 3) say please and thank you to each other when playing. My mom always said manners cost nothing

maman

kat360 wrote: »

I know this is on a slightly different note but I'm currently trying to teach my nearly 3 year old daughter how to cross the road. I'm surprised how many grown ups will cross without looking:mad: It sets a bad example for children.

For that very reason, I wait (albeit impatiently) for the green man when I'm crossing the road. Setting a good example is hugely important. While I'm waiting I usually smile at other adults and say 'being responsible is very time consuming'!

onlyroz

For those of you who have 8-year-olds who can cook a meal - how do they reach the fridge/taps/hob? My 7-year-old isn't tall enough to do any of these things and so a simple thing like getting his own breakfast would be impossible.

He's great at navigating himself around the Sky system and Netflix these days though...