The past generation loves to rag on the current generation for their seeming lack of skill in the chores and activities. But the reality is that their world is different. It has evolved from the basic analog functions of the past to the digital era of today. There are inevitable differences in the way we do things and the skills and abilities we learn.
However, one thing remains: everyone needs to do things around the house. From basic activities such as setting the table to sweeping the floor, there are fundamental skills that everyone should learn regardless of the generation. Below are helpful home economic skills that you can teach your children. Not only will they be able to learn more and help around the house, but they’ll be better equipped to tackle their future.
Cooking, and Not Just the Basic Kind
Perhaps one of the most important fundamental skills your children should learn is cooking. Learning the fundamentals of cooking, like frying, boiling, and knife skills, will help a lot in their life. The last thing you want is for them to rely on microwaved food or instant meals when they’re older. Teach them cooking early on, which will allow them to learn enough to tackle the more advanced avenues of cooking.
This then leads them to have the ability to cook healthier and more delicious food, ultimately helping them to become better adults. Of course, there’s also the benefit of enjoying the food they make, which is always a welcome addition.
Working with Cloth: Sewing, Quilting, Crocheting, Etc
Regardless of your kids’ gender, they will be wearing clothes that will eventually wear out. And it doesn’t have to get to the point of rags and tatters. They will lose a button, break a zipper, and make a rip. Adults who don’t know sewing often just let these things go, opting to buy newer clothing or wearing the broken ones till they’re irreparable.
Obviously, this isn’t an economical way to solve simple problems. Thus making learning how to sew such important skills. And sewing can open an even bigger world of working with cloth material. Your children can gain useful skills like crocheting sweaters or quilting blankets. There are many beginner kits available, ranging from pre-cut quilt kits to basic sewing sets. Working with cloth makes for a good hobby too, making it not only useful but also fun.
Cleaning Effectively and Efficiently
Many people think that cleaning is an easy task. It’s just rubbing a sponge on a wall or vacuuming the floor, but let’s face it. There’s a mile of a difference between cleaning effectively and efficiently and cleaning haphazardly and tiring yourself out. If you’re tired of asking your kids to help you clean and them trying to help out but not making much of a difference, then it’s time to teach them how to do it right.
Cleaning isn’t an instinctive skill that many assume it is. There are techniques and information that you need to know to do it right. Teach your kids that it’s better to sweep corners than futilely vacuum them. Or it’s better to wipe dusty surfaces with a dry cloth first before a damp one. Teaching them how to clean will also develop their awareness, making them more tidy and hygienic.
Rudimentary Home Maintenance
In moments that something’s broken around the house, you don’t want to be in a position where no one can do something. Knowing even the most basic home maintenance tasks will help a lot make a house function better. For example, there’s the task of changing lightbulbs. That’s a fundamental task, and yet adults who didn’t learn it as a kid may find it confusing or even scary.
Even tasks like changing doorknobs or changing faucets or showerheads may sound simple on paper, but they’re convenient when you have someone who can actually do them. You’ll save a ton of money on being able to do your own basic repairs, and it helps your kids grow up to become resourceful people.
Basic Digital and Analog Electronics
We live in an age where technology plays a large part in our everyday lives. From using a computer to a smartphone, to even smart appliances, we’re surrounded by technology. And when something goes wrong, it’s easy to feel helpless because we don’t normally know anything about it. However, the truth is that sometimes, many of these errors can be remedied with simple fixes.
As a matter of fact, many kids know most of them already! But it’s good to encourage them to learn more and have a deeper understanding of how these electronics work. They might not be able to fix a smashed phone, but they can at least know if your desktop needs changing or not.
Letting children learn these things and gain more skills can help them develop into better adults in the future. They can rely on themselves when the time comes for them to experience independence.
