Life Skills Every Preschooler Should Know

Life skills are the skills that individuals need to tackle everyday situations. As with subjects taught at school, these skills are age-specific. While toddlers have to learn that brushing their teeth is necessary, someone who is about to attend university will need to learn how to give interviews.

Preschoolers can be taught life skills in three ways:

·         Demonstrating behavior and skills that kids can emulate

·         Directly through real world activities like cleaning and cooking

·         Indirectly with games for preschoolers and activities that allow them to engage in scenarios taken from real life, with opportunities to solve problems

“I Congreso Juegos de Salud” by COM SALUD Agencia de comunicacion is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Here are a few skills your preschooler should begin to learn:

·         Hygiene – Preschoolers should be taught to brush their teeth, wash their mouth and wash their hands thoroughly. This requires that they understand not just the importance of hygiene but also how to turn on/off a faucet, where to throw the paper towel, and how to use the products. They also need to be made aware that clothes have to be put in a hamper if they are dirty and how to blow their nose.

Some preschoolers are also ready to start dressing and undressing on their own, brushing their hair, wearing shoes, and learning to tie their shoe laces.

“thirsty girl” by Samantha is licensed under CC BY 2.0

·         Responsibility – Parents can start assigning simple tasks for preschoolers. Some tasks that preschoolers can carry out include making their own beds, cleaning their room (this includes sorting objects like books and toys), changing toilet rolls, setting the table, and putting the dishes away after a meal. 

“Big Boy Bed – Side” by Liza is licensed under CC BY 2.0

·         Money – Kids need to know the value of money, and how and why it is used. You can get them a piggy bank and show them how to save the money they get and how to spend it.

·         Cooking – Preschoolers can help you around the kitchen with simple and safe tasks. They can also learn to get something to eat for themselves like a fruit or a slice of bread and milk.

“Bento Lunch Prep…” by Wendy Copley is licensed under CC BY 2.0

·         Social – Preschoolers need instructions in developing good social skills, from interacting with other children and grown ups to how to behave in social situations. These include smiling, making eye contact, and saying hello, thank you and good-bye, joining a group, and being helpful and learning to share with friends. Kids have to understand how to handle emotions.

·         Safety – Apart from the ‘don’t talk to strangers’ rule, kids must be shown how to call an emergency number, not to leave electric appliances on, or leave a burning candle unattended, and what to do if they get lost.

“Sandy Shoes” by Lyle is licensed under CC BY 2.0

As they grow older, there are different skills preschoolers will acquire, many at school and with friends, but training them at a young age can help cultivate a sense of discipline and responsibility, and they will be able to learn complex skills more easily.