X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

10 Life skills you should teach your kids by age 10

7 min read

The world we live in today is full of challenges and obstacles that your kids will eventually have to overcome. Even though civilization has begun to rely more and more on technology, there are still a number of practical life skills that no child should go without.

In a recent study conducted by the popular online security company AVG Technologies, researchers found that 58% of kids aged 3 to 5 are capable of operating a smartphone properly. However, they also found that only 15% of the same age group are capable of preparing a suitable breakfast for themselves. Obviously, making breakfast isn’t a skill they’ll immediately require, but if they can’t make a suitable meal in order to feed themselves, what other life skills are they lacking?

Growing Leaders, a nonprofit organization in Norcross, Georgia (USA), was founded on the basis of promoting leadership qualities in children. Tim Elmore, founder of Growing Leaders, says, “I see many parents doing everything for their kids instead of letting them figure out how to fend for themselves.” He and his organization have found that there are a number of valuable life skills children are capable of learning by age 10. These are 10 of the most important:

1. How to do laundry

laundry

Whether they learn how to hand-wash or load the machine, by age 10, your kid should feel comfortable handling laundry duty. Tons of high schoolers and college kids still have no idea how to do a simple load of laundry, or how to separate the colors from the whites! It’s a simple task that your kids should learn to deal with by age 10. They don’t have to be masters of laundry, or solely responsible but they should at least know how to get their clothes clean.

 

2. How to plant a seed/garden

planting

Having a green thumb is a natural gift, so to say that every child will grow up being as skilled as a botanist would be a stretch. However, it’s a resourceful tool that can lead to a very healthy hobby for your kids. It’s also a way for them to get in tune with their earthy side; a chance to get outdoors; and a good way to teach kids about how plant work and life works.

 

Learn which invaluable life skills your kids should develop by age 10! Click next for more!

 

3. How to wrap a gift

wrapping

You’ll probably never need to teach a kid the joy of receiving a gift, though, you’ll probably need to teach them about the joys of giving a gift. Furthermore, there’s nothing like a gift that’s nicely wrapped. It adds character and shows you put a lot of work into the gift giving process. Even if your kids are just learning the basics of gift giving by this time, like removing the price tag; how to tie a bow/ribbon; cutting the wrapping paper, etc. it’s still a valuable trait to learn. Not to mention that if they truly master the process, your gifts under the christmas tree will look a whole lot nicer!

 

4. How to hammer a nail

hammer

Photo by Russ Hendricks

We’re by no means suggesting letting your child play with a hammer and nail. However, if you’re ever handling a bit of maintenance work around the home and your kids see you working with tools–for example, a hammer–consider teaching them a valuable lesson about elbow grease. Manual labor is always a valuable lesson, and they’ll learn a handy skill that can help them to be more self-reliant in the future. Once again, we aren’t condoning kids running around with hammers, but when it’s convenient and safe, teach your children how they can grow to be more handy through the use of tools!

 

5. How to compose a letter

write a letter

Snail mail is by far the least common form of communication nowadays. With the abundance of computers and cellphones making it easier than ever to gen in contact with one another, there are few out there who write handwritten letters anymore. While it may not be a common form communication anymore, it’s still a valuable life skill and can teach them at a young age how to properly mail something, which they’ll undoubtedly be doing the future. It’s also a great opportunity for them to practice handwriting and general composition.

 

6. How to make a simple meal

kids cooking

The aforementioned number of kids who lack the ability of preparing food for themselves is pretty eye-opening. It’s not important for your kids to be able to cook themselves an omelette, or bake a pie by age 10, but they should at least be able to make a bowl of cereal sans mess. They should be able to help you in the kitchen too, and by asking them to help in the kitchen, you’re actually teaching them about the process of how food is made which can lead to them mastering this life skill.

 

Learn which invaluable life skills your kids should develop by age 10! Click next for more!

 

7. How to navigate and read a map

reading a map

Your kids are blessed to live in a world with GPS enabled devices and apps. In fact, the world is so saturated with products that navigate humans, that I’m sure a percentage of kids aren’t even aware what a compass does. Don’t let your kids be spoiled by these apps and devices. Teach them, at the very least, how to read a map properly and how to work a compass by age 10. You don’t need to throw them out in the woods with both and let them figure out how to get home, but these are valuable life skills that can help them if they’re ever in a pinch or lost as adults.

Partner Stories
Next-Gen Ford Everest: 6 Reasons Why This Is Your Family's Next Dream Car!
Next-Gen Ford Everest: 6 Reasons Why This Is Your Family's Next Dream Car!
Gut Health and Probiotic Survival Rate
Gut Health and Probiotic Survival Rate
Evelyn Ng, P&G high ranking executive, shares her story as a career woman and a working mom
Evelyn Ng, P&G high ranking executive, shares her story as a career woman and a working mom
Kilalanin ang Mga Nakakabilib na Batang May Tibay Ngayong Panahon
Kilalanin ang Mga Nakakabilib na Batang May Tibay Ngayong Panahon

 

8. How to treat a wound

wounds

 

By now your kids know that when they’re injured, they need to resolve the issue. They may even know where your family keeps the first-aid kit. But, can you comfortably say that your kids know how to properly treat a wound in the event that there are no adults around? It’s a valuable life skill that obviously has its health benefits, but it also supports self-sufficiency.

 

9. How to clean the bathroom

cleaning a bathroom

Sure, it’s dirty work. But it’s hard work and kids can always learn from a little hard work. By age 10, your kids should understand how to at least to contribute to the household duties and cleaning the bathroom is one that they can easily assist in. For example, teach your kids to clean the toilet lid, seat, or base. Anything helps, and it teaches them responsibility. It may seem like a tedious life skill, but cleanliness is next to godliness!

 

10. How to comparatively shop

ompare shopping

Understanding how to shop on a budget, shop with coupons, or compare prices and products is a skill that your kids will use often…just further down the road. By age 10, however, they should have a basic understanding of comparing products and understanding which products are cheaper. To be cost efficient/conscientious is one of the best qualities you can have as an adult, so to instill the importance of money saving and value to your young children is always a wise choice.

 

Original article on Parents.com

READ: 6 Tricks to control your temper with a stubborn child

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Santiago Santa Cruz

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Parenting
  • /
  • 10 Life skills you should teach your kids by age 10
Share:
  • Step-by-step guide to getting a PSA birth certificate

    Step-by-step guide to getting a PSA birth certificate

  • Help! Nanginginig si baby, ano ang gagawin ko?

    Help! Nanginginig si baby, ano ang gagawin ko?

  • Your newborn baby's very first smile

    Your newborn baby's very first smile

  • Step-by-step guide to getting a PSA birth certificate

    Step-by-step guide to getting a PSA birth certificate

  • Help! Nanginginig si baby, ano ang gagawin ko?

    Help! Nanginginig si baby, ano ang gagawin ko?

  • Your newborn baby's very first smile

    Your newborn baby's very first smile

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pag-aalaga ng baby at kanilang kalusugan.