What don't they teach in schools anymore?

[la79al]

With my 9 and 11 year old probably off for the next 2 weeks, I am looking for stuff to do. I want to use this time to teach them life skills type things, stuff they will actually need in life but aren't taught in school. They are both very smart so pretty much anything is possible. Ideas?

 

[ellbellthomps]

Any sort of social or life schools.
I'm gonna try to focus on no judgement; we are a very liberal family and want to make sure our kids know the laws of the land.

 

[NYCgrrl]

How to clean their room(s); their college roomates might appreciate this.
How to cook; makes measuring concepts easier to understand.
How to set a table if they don't know already. I know a grown man who hasn't accomplished that extraordinarily complex task yet....

 

[xjillianpaige]

Financial literacy! How to understand banking and saving and spending.

 

[HelsBels16]

Knitting or crochet - I am a big fan, and as well as the basic skill it teaches patience, creativity, appreciation for design, maths skills...

 

[Calee]

Money issues: How to balance a checkbook. ... Make and stick to a budget.... Proper perspective of things like credit card debt, Bill Paying/Planning

Life Skills: Laundry, Basic Cooking Skills, Grocery Shopping, Simple Car Maintenance

In some schools the arts are not taught-both hands on skills and history.

 

[lanejudy]

Meal-planning. Let them sit with you and plan out the meals for the week. Make sure it includes discussion of balanced nutrition as well as what supplies you have on-hand (or what you are willing to buy). Then have them help prepare dinner - each kid gets a couple of nights over the week.

Cursive writing is a big one not taught at most schools. At a minimum, teach them to sign their name. You should be able to find some worksheets online.

Volunteer. I'm sure a local soup kitchen could use some help. If you'd rather avoid people right now, do a trash pick-up at a local park or even just along your own street.

Get outside and play. Fortunately the weather is turning warmer in most places with winter disappearing. Even if it's still chilly, put on hats and gloves and send them into the backyard.

 

[sam_gordon]

Budgeting!

I know Bill Cosby is persona non grata for most, but this is a great scene and a great lesson:

 

[Hikergirl]

I keep seeing money management and budgeting but our schools do teach that. Kids take a class in middle school all about it, and when in HS there are electives focusing on that, my ds is actually taking Money Management next year. It's a class focused on just that, even teaches them how to do their own taxes.
Having said that, IMO it's important for parents to teach it to their kids regardless of whether or not it is done in school.

As far as life skills if it were my kids, I'd be doing "lessons" that reinforce thinking for themselves, and problem solving.

 

[SaintsManiac]

They teach cursive at my kid's school.

 

[Kennywood]

This may sound extremely simplistic, but show them how you pay the bills, especially the credit card bill. Young people tend to view credit cards as a bottomless piggy bank. They need to understand that the credit card is just a loan that needs to be paid.

 

[lahobbs4]

All of the above plus gardening/yard maintenance, power tools, bird-watching

 

[marthachick]

Laundry. Yes they’re young but can still learn how to do towels if nothing else.

How to count change. What do I do if total is $23.75 and someone gives me $25.25? Yes it is truly a forgotten skill.

Basic meal planning.

 

[MrsDuck]

Home Economics or outdoor skills!

 

[Moliphino]

Cooking, cleaning, laundry. Basic sewing skills (repair a seam, sew a button).

 

[mnrose]

Civics. It's a BIG thing missing in most school curriculums, and the present state of our dysfunctional government shows it.

 

[scrappydew]

How to address an envelope. I found this out the hard way when my son tried to do his thank you notes for high school graduation. He put the address up where the return address should go.

Local history. Gardening, names of plants, trees, etc.
Basic home repairs, where the main water shutoff valve is, etc.
Car maintenance.

 

[xjillianpaige]

How to address an envelope. I found this out the hard way when my son tried to do his thank you notes for high school graduation. He put the address up where the return address should go.

THIS! My brothers friend left for basic training shortly after high school graduation and before he left we had to show them both how to address and stamp an envelope.

 

[L&Lfan]

Manners and Etiquette

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

You could always do some lessons on the scientific method. While it is still taught in schools, it apparently isn't taught well enough.

Maybe also a session on logic, reasoning, statistics, and how to avoid confirmation bias.