As promised, I’m continuing the series of functional skills your child should know before he/she leaves the house. The following has been excerpted from the Chicago Tribune. These skills don’t necessarily fall into any specific category but are truly indispensable for fostering independence in your children. And again, the ages are only guidelines. In this age of digital clocks, one of my kids was in high school before she could tell time on an analog clock!
Tie their shoes: Age 4.
Shut off the water: Not at the tap, but at the main valve or at the toilet tank. Kevin O'Connor, host of PBS' "This Old House," figures 10 is a good age. "My main shut-off is so old and rusty I'd be afraid of them breaking it if they got their hands on it any sooner."
Throw a circuit breaker: Also 10. "Might as well get them up to speed on all the systems in the basement the same year," says O'Connor.
Balance a checkbook/pay bills: They're too young to have their own, but middle-schoolers should know how to balance a checkbook, says Mary Suiter, manager of economic education at the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis. The same with paying bills. She points out another bonus of getting the kids involved: It reinforces math skills.
Use a house key: Age 6, says O'Connor. "The sooner the better. Saves them from sneaking back in through windows." Younger kids can also be taught to lock the door when the family is in the house and how to unlock a bathroom door in case they get locked in.
Tell time: By 6.
Pump your own gas: States set age minimums, but even a 10-year-old can watch and learn.
Use a screwdriver: Age 3. "I never taught my youngest this, but that's when he picked it up," O'Connor says. "New batteries for Christmas toys seems to be the great educator."
Make a screwdriver: 21, when they're legal.
Bait a hook/fish: 7 to 8 years old.
Use power tools: O'Connor: "Four, when it comes to screw guns and such. Not sure when I'll let him run the circular saw; probably at 8 in front of me, 12 in front of his mother."
Change a tire: By 15 years and 364 days; before they get the license.
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Submitted by The Magic Bowl on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 10:48