Today’s world is so dependent on technology, it can be easy for kids to miss out on practical life skills like handwriting a letter or reading a map. A study by AVG Technologies found that 58% of 3- to 5-year-olds in the U.S. could navigate a smartphone, but only one out of six, or 15%, could make their own breakfast. Many parents take it upon themselves to do everything for their children rather than letting them figure things out. Start teaching your kids these important life skills now so they will be more independent as they get older.

Laundry

Your child can begin learning how to do laundry as early as age 6. Let them stand on a stool and teach them how to measure and add detergent, choose the correct settings, and start the machine. Teach them other laundry basics like separating whites and darks and how to fold items properly. Remember that it may not always be perfect, but the job will be done.

Gift Wrapping

Gift wrapping is a skill that you didn’t know you needed until it’s time for you to do it on your own. Kids love giving presents and wrapping them up themselves just adds to the excitement. Preschoolers can help cut the wrapping paper and stick on the tape. Kindergarteners can do a bit more, like removing the price tag, finding the right size box, and wrapping the paper around the gift to make sure it fits before cutting.

Writing a Letter

Toddlers can write a letter to a family member, stick on the stamp, and drop it in the mailbox. Teach your older ones how to address the envelope as well as the five parts of a letter, which include the date, greeting, body, closing, and signature.

Prepare a Simple MealMother and son baking together at home | Walton Academy

Invite your children to help you make meals, but remember that messes are likely to be made. Yogurt with fruit is a great beginner’s meal for preschool-aged children. Have them spoon yogurt into a bowl and add pre-washed, pre-cut fruit. Kids 5 and older can learn how to make sandwiches and smoothies (with supervision). At around age 7 or 8, try teaching them how to make toaster-oven foods like pizza rolls, or make simple salads by ripping lettuce and cutting up tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. By age 10, kids can use the stovetop for grilled sandwiches, with supervision.

Walton Academy

Walton Academy is always striving to provide a consistent, nurturing and innovative environment for our students. We understand that early childhood education plays a large role in your child’s development, so we ensure they receive a high-quality education. With small classrooms and highly qualified teachers, you can be sure your child will receive individualized instruction, character education, and social-emotional habits.

Walton Academy firmly believes that an environment with minimal distractions is key to student success. To achieve an optimal learning environment and experience, we require each child to undergo our enrollment screening process. During our enrollment screening process, students are observed and assessed academically, behaviorally, and socially. Our enrollment screening ensures that our classroom environment remains focused and that each student can excel and reach their full potential. Contact us today to learn more!