How can children learn life lessons in the classroom?

School is the place most of us learn to read and write, gain a deeper understanding of history and explore our love of sports. We even find out about the natural world, weather systems and math, so why are life skills often left out of the curriculum?  When children don’t leave school with the ability to communicate effectively, make good personal decisions and resolve conflicts successfully, they may struggle with the challenges life will throw at them.

By teaching the types of critical skills that allow children to thrive beyond the school gates, we teach them responsibility and motivate them. Understanding that these skills could improve their lives often persuades children to work harder at their studies. As any adult knows, there are many different life skills. Here are some that children could benefit the most from learning.

Keeping an organized home

In the early years, teaching children good hygiene and how to maintain an organized space is beneficial in several ways. First, it gives them confidence when it comes to looking after themselves. In addition, they will gain a degree of independence. When children master basic cleaning, cooking and DIY skills, they will be ready to take care of themselves and others later in life. Moreover, by instilling a sense of enthusiasm and accomplishment, teachers ensure that children can take pride in their daily tasks rather than seeing housework as a chore.

Managing time effectively 

Children who learn to manage their time at an early age will be more successful academically and gain an advantage in other areas of life. All students have to stick to their timetable and meet deadlines for homework or coursework, but these existing skills can be enhanced significantly.

Planning a project can teach students how long specific jobs will take in the outside world, whether it’s something simple like getting ready on time or something more complex, such as the weekly grocery shopping trip or a road trip. Once these abilities have been learned effectively, young people can accomplish the tasks they need to without feeling overwhelmed.

Financial awareness 

Many adults struggle to stay within their monthly budget, which can lead to financial strife in the long run. By giving children projects that focus on budgeting, schools teach them about spending within their means. Sticking to a budget may be a challenge, but children can learn by visiting real estate sites and online stores, and then creating a plan to show what financial choices they would make for a month.

This form of basic money management involves understanding more about household bills, but taxes and financial investments are equally crucial topics. According to the Grand Challenges for Social Work program, financial guidance and understanding how to access financial services are crucial for the well-being and security of families.

People with a social work degree who feel passionate about giving children the chance of a better life and more financial stability can register on the Spalding social worker online program. Aimed at graduates with a passion for social justice, it blends coursework with fieldwork to give students an excellent grounding in the role.

Listening and communicating

Learning to communicate effectively with all kinds of people and not just their peer group can make a huge impact on children’s lives. As they get older, these key skills should be reemphasized in age-appropriate ways. With confidence in their abilities, young people feel more capable in social situations and ready to speak with new people in a relaxed way. This can help them make new friends and strengthen their existing bonds. Moreover, healthy relationships will enable them to refine their listening skills and learn more about spotting non-verbal cues. Being a skilled communicator enables a person to see things from someone else’s perspective. It can make them more understanding in their interactions and more capable of self-reflection.

Developing a growth mindset 

A growth mindset can influence how a person behaves toward others, and it also affects their self-image and perhaps even their future career. A child’s mindset relates to what they believe they can do and what their limitations are. Teaching children to have self-belief and to feel like they can always do better with a little effort helps them remain positive when challenges arise.

Without having an impact on the academic subjects we already know are important for children, life skills can form part of the wider school curriculum. Combined with academic prowess, these tangible proficiencies will give young people every chance of navigating through life independently and successfully.