Life Skills for Every Age
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The Importance of Learning Life Skills at Every Age
Throughout the years I have kept a list of chores and skills that my kiddos have accomplished. As my oldest daughter is about to turn 14(!), I’ve been thinking about all the things I have not yet taught her and wish to do before she leaves the nest. I know I’ve got a few more years with her…but if they are anything like the last 14, they are going to fly by!
These life skills are essential tools that help our kids navigate their everyday lives with confidence and independence. They range from basic tasks in early childhood to more complex responsibilities as young adults, and they form the backbone of personal development. Below, I’ve divided them into three age ranges: 5-10 years, 10-15 years, and 15-20 years, highlighting their importance as children grow into adulthood.
Ages 5-10: Laying the Foundation
At this stage, children are ready to start learning skills that foster independence, responsibility, and social awareness. These foundational skills help them become more self-reliant and confident.
Tie Shoes: Builds fine motor skills and promotes independence in dressing.
Write in Cursive: Encourages better handwriting and cognitive development.
Make a Phone Call: Teaches basic communication and social skills.
Call 911: Instills a sense of emergency preparedness and safety awareness.
Learn to Grow Food: Introduces the basics of nature, responsibility, and self-sustainability.
Organize Room: Encourages personal responsibility and respect for personal space.
Make Bed: Builds routine and reinforces the importance of tidiness.
Put Away Laundry: Instills responsibility for personal belongings.
Use Library System: Develops research skills and encourages a love for reading.
Make a PB&J Sandwich: Fosters early food preparation and basic cooking skills.
Use Zippers, Snaps, and Buttons: Promotes self-sufficiency in dressing.
Floss and Brush Teeth: Establishes good dental hygiene habits.
Set the Table: Teaches basic dining etiquette and family participation.
Care for Indoor Plants: Fosters responsibility and understanding of nature.
Refill Soap Pump: Encourages attention to household needs.
Wash Table/Counters: Instills cleanliness and personal responsibility.
Use Eye Contact: Enhances communication and social confidence.
Street Safety: Promotes awareness of surroundings and safety practices.
Be a Polite Guest: Reinforces social etiquette and manners.
Use Toaster/Microwave: Teaches safe use of kitchen appliances.
Understand Feelings: Encourages emotional intelligence and expression.
Understand Forgiveness: Helps develop empathy and emotional maturity.
Understand Empathy: Promotes compassion and better interpersonal relationships.
Ride a Bike: Builds coordination and physical independence.
Learn to Swim: Instills water safety and promotes physical activity.
Clip Nails: Encourages personal grooming and hygiene.
Ages 10-15: Building Independence
As pre-teens enter adolescence, they begin to handle more responsibilities and are introduced to skills that will serve them well as they grow into more independent young adults.
Hand Sew a Button: Teaches practical self-sufficiency and clothing care.
Use a Sewing Machine: Builds skill in crafting and basic garment repair.
Learn an Instrument: Fosters creativity, discipline, and cognitive development.
Nutrition: Encourages healthy eating habits and awareness of food choices.
Use Stove/Cook Eggs: Promotes safe and essential cooking skills.
First Aid: Instills the basics of personal health and safety in emergencies.
Etiquette: Reinforces good manners and respectful social behavior.
Open a Bank Account: Teaches early financial responsibility and literacy.
Start a Fire: Encourages outdoor survival skills and fire safety.
Fire Safety: Reinforces emergency preparedness and responsibility.
Care for Animals: Instills compassion, responsibility, and respect for living things.
Clean Toilet: Teaches hygiene and the importance of a clean living space.
How to Use Hand Tools: Builds practical skills for small repairs and projects.
Follow a Recipe: Encourages precision, patience, and cooking proficiency.
Address/Stamp Envelope: Teaches proper correspondence etiquette.
Use Washer/Dryer: Develops independence in caring for personal belongings.
Make Coffee/Tea: Fosters practical beverage-making skills.
Time Management: Teaches organization, prioritization, and punctuality.
Conflict Resolution: Teaches effective communication, problem-solving, and compromise to resolve disagreements in a respectful and constructive way.
Good Hygiene: Reinforces the importance of cleanliness and self-care.
Self-Care: Encourages mental and physical well-being practices.
Exercise Routine: Promotes physical health and the importance of regular activity.
How to Shave: Teaches proper grooming and personal hygiene.
Learn to Type: Builds essential digital skills for school and future careers.
Mow the Lawn: Teaches responsibility and basic lawn care skills.
Use Oven/Bake: Expands cooking proficiency and safety in the kitchen.
Ages 15-20: Preparing for Adulthood
During the late teenage years, young adults begin to take on more complex tasks that prepare them for full independence. These life skills cover personal finance, health, and practical household management.
Change a Tire: Teaches vehicle maintenance and emergency preparedness.
Oil Change: Instills essential car care knowledge.
Learn to Drive: Promotes independence and safe navigation of the world.
Personal Finance: Teaches budgeting, saving, and responsible spending.
Write a Resume: Prepares for job applications and career building.
Perform CPR: Provides lifesaving skills in case of emergencies.
Write a Business Letter: Teaches professional communication and correspondence.
Understand Loans: Instills knowledge of borrowing, interest, and financial responsibility.
Understand Insurance: Promotes awareness of financial protection and risk management.
How to Preserve Food: Encourages self-sustainability and food preservation skills.
Use Power Tools: Builds proficiency in household repairs and projects.
Read a Map: Develops navigation and spatial awareness skills.
How to Iron Clothes: Teaches proper garment care and presentation.
How to Tip: Reinforces good manners and respect for service workers.
Clean All Surfaces/Rooms: Promotes cleanliness and responsibility in maintaining living spaces.
Pump Gas: Encourages vehicle independence and self-sufficiency.
Make Health Appointments: Teaches responsibility for personal health care.
How to Mail a Package: Promotes knowledge of postal services and shipping.
Plunge Toilet: Teaches practical household maintenance skills.
Choose/Buy Toiletries: Instills awareness of personal grooming needs.
Decision Making: Encourages critical thinking and responsible choices.
Stress Management: Teaches coping skills and emotional balance.
Goal Setting: Promotes ambition and the importance of planning for the future.
Use Grill: Expands cooking techniques and independence.
Learn to Vote: Fosters civic responsibility and participation.
Yard/Home Maintenance: Builds responsibility for home care and upkeep.
Each stage of life comes with its own set of critical life skills, building toward independence, responsibility, and resilience. From foundational tasks in early childhood to complex decision-making in young adulthood, these skills help our kids thrive in both everyday life and long-term goals. They are best learned progressively, with each stage of life building on the lessons of the previous one.
Looking back on my own childhood and early adolescence, I realize that I hadn’t learned many of these skills before heading off to college. I had to figure out many things in the moment, which wasn’t always easy. That experience has made me even more committed to teaching my own kids these skills early on, so they can feel more prepared and confident as they grow. I hope that by giving them this foundation, they’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges that come their way.
Customizable Download
If you would like to download this Life Skills Bucket List, Click Here to Purchase. This includes 2 different styles (.pdf picture format & .pdf list format) + a Canva template which allows you to add your own personal touch, rearrange the skills, and create a list of your own!
To download the Life Skills Bucket List Bundle + a customizable Canva template CLICK HERE!
Do you have a list of Life Skills you would like to teach your kids? What are some items on your list that I don’t have on mine? What skills did you lack growing up?
Come again, stay longer!
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Life skills are essential tools that help our kids navigate their everyday lives with confidence and independence. They range from basic tasks in early childhood to more complex responsibilities as young adults, and they form the backbone of personal development. I’ve divided them into three age ranges: 5-10 years, 10-15 years, and 15-20 years, highlighting their importance as children grow into adulthood.