Life Skills Every Ten Year Old Child Should Know

In these modern days of pampered children whose only responsibilities are homework and soccer practice, important life skills are often forgotten. Some parents consider them to be not age appropriate for their ten year old child. However, to be responsible and self-reliant, there are ten important life skills every ten year old should have.

Life Skill - Typing or Keyboarding

By ten years old, a child's hands are usually large enough to get into the correct position on a keyboard. Using the hunt and peck method will not help them write reports or creative writing assignments or use the internet comfortably.

Life Skill - Counting Money

While learning about money and currency is often covered in the younger grades, life skills such as figuring out sales tax and making change are usually more advanced. Let your child purchase things at the store and figure out how much them should have.

Life Skill - Read a Map

Some full grown men do not know how to read a map. Teaching your child how to read road maps and political maps will help them in their adult life. Not only will they not get lost when traveling, maps can open up educational experiences around the globe.

Life Skill - How to Budget

Debt is a huge problem. To save your child from the difficulties of future debt, teach them how to make a budget when they are young. If your ten year old gets an allowance, help them figure out what they can spend and what they can save to get what they want. Let them help you with the household budget so they understand about the many bills adults have.

Life Skill - Using the Stove

Many parents still feel that a ten year old child is too young to use the stove. As long as they understand that it can be dangerous and are tall enough to safely reach the top, they can learn to use it.

Life Skill - Do Laundry

There is no reason a ten year old child cannot gather his laundry together, put it in the washing machine with the right amount of soap, and transfer it to the dryer when it is done. Not only is this an important life skill, it also reduces your chores.

Life Skill - Checking Car Oil

Basic car maintenance is vital in every adult's life. Before a child is ten years old, he or she can learn how and why to check the oil in the car.

Life Skill - Vacuum a Rug

As part of cleaning their room and helping with chores, your ten year old child should learn to vacuum the floor. At ten years old, most children are tall and strong enough to push different types of vacuum cleaners.