Napoleon Dynamite said it best that skills are the best way to reel the interest of others. But to take this thought a step further, skills are also a means for parents to give aid to their children’s development and shape a brighter future for them.
The time we spend teaching our children effective, meaningful, and important skills will help them towards having an increase in self-worth, an increase in their determination to try and succeed, and even an increase in their happiness and overall well-being.
In this article, I’ll be pointing out skills that every parent should strive to pass on to their child(ren) for their happiness, health, and success now and in the future. There’s no time like the present to build a sure foundation to invest in your child’s abilities and positive gain.
1. Expressions of Love & Relationship Skills
Teaching our children how to develop meaningful, sincere, and honest relationships within the walls of their own home, will increase their understanding of recognizing the need for and setting healthy boundaries, respect for themselves and others, and not to mention will help them feel, express, and give love.
Some ways to teach your child effective relationship skills and expressions of love is to first model and set a healthy, true to life example for them to watch and act upon whether that be how you treat your spouse/partner, being quick to forgive and slow to anger, openly expressing love and appreciation to one another, and working as a team to problem-solve, learn, and spend meaningful time together.
Another way to teach your child positive relationship skills is to help them define healthy boundaries, how, and when to set them using different scenarios, as well as respecting and standing up for any healthy boundaries your child sets and/or requires.
Also, when it comes to expressing love, do not withhold love from your child, give it freely and often. Recognize how your child receives and gives love and act accordingly, discuss love languages with your child and how they vary from person to person, and spend quality time with your child on a regular basis, as a family and one on one with your child.
2. Communication Skills
Knowing how to more effectively and intentionally communicate is one of the best skills one could offer their child, especially when teaching them to know how to express, listen, problem-solve, and contribute in a healthy, positive manner.
When teaching and setting an example of effective communication skills, the best place to start is to know how to carry on a conversation and to actively listen. Just as important as knowing what or how to speak with others is knowing how to pause and listen with the intention to understand and show respect, not to override or give the ‘right’ answer.
A way to showcase these skills the best is in how you communicate with your child one on one and as a family. For instance, when my toddler talks with me, I look at him to let him know my focus is on him, comment in between, nod, and smile to express interest.
Another example of communication between my toddler and I is when we are about to run an errand, travel, or any kind of change in our regular routine, I make sure to simply explain what is about to take place, reassure him that we’ll go through this together, and have something with us that is familiar to him like a stuffed animal, snack, or show downloaded on my phone as a means to comfort him.
Communicating in such a way with my toddler shows respect for him and his well-being, open communication to give a place for understanding, and increased trust between us through the unknown and unexpected.
3. Problem-Solving Skills
Not everything in life is set in stone, is certain, or is smooth-sailing so to speak. When such happenings take place, it is not so much what happens to us that matters as much as how we respond that is the true deterrent of the situation’s outcome.
When faced with a problem or unexpected situation, the best way to teach our children to respond is by first taking a moment to breathe. Centering yourself even for a moment is enough to clear our minds and reset us to better face the situation at hand.
The next best way to effectively problem-solve is to identify the problem, determine a few ways to move forward through the problem, and weigh the pros and cons of each scenario, helping to provide a more clear solution to test and try.
Thinking through and acting is a fantastic foundation in helping a child to problem-solve in a mindful and productive manner.
4. Disciplinary & Behavior Management Skills
As parents, we are constantly showing and telling our children what and how to behave, for the better and sometimes even for the worst.
It is so key for us to be mindful of how we act and react to set a healthy stage for our children in developing and expressing themselves so as to form meaningful relationships, have a healthy lifestyle, and have a positive view of themselves and the world around them.
In how we discipline our children, it is first and foremost important to be mindful of each individual child’s needs and how they learn and comprehend most effectively. Set boundaries and be consistent in consequences, do not justify, apologize, or be lenient, but don’t be harsh and demeaning. Overreacting is just as ineffective as being inconsistent.
Children learn best through repetition, consistency, and as you buoy their learning and self-confidence. Do not give up on them even if you have to discipline them over and over again for the same thing. However, if this is the case, it may be a sign that there is a deeper issue at hand or a misunderstanding, so be willing to communicate and get down to their level.
Also, be sure to look for the good and express praise as often or more so than you would the bad. Far too often we are prone to look for what is wrong or needs to be fixed, so make the conscious effort to seek out the good in your child and then be quick to recognize and praise them for it. Doing so will allow them to more easily recognize it in themselves, stand a little straighter, and have a more positive, healthier way of holding and presenting themselves.
5. Creative Skills
Being creative is not only a healthy outlet in one’s life, but is also a fantastic skill to problem solve, think better, and nurture our learning and well-being.
As parents, we would do well to encourage our children in their curiosity and discovery. As you do they’ll become more confident, driven, and sincerely interested and invested in the world around them, not to mention more apt to be happier, feel more free and capable, and can better support their emotions, ideas, and dreams.
A key way to encourage creativity is to provide a space and to seek out opportunities for exploring, learning, and creating. My toddler loves water play, playing on the piano, being outside, and coloring. I make sure that most of our time throughout the day is given to doing what he loves and provide opportunities for new possible interests, therefore allowing him to not just enjoy himself, but to think deeply, be independent, and feel free to be himself.
As my toddler plays on the piano or plays in our sink, I don’t leave him to his own devices, but I make sure to be right alongside him to discuss new and interesting things about what he is involved in, take the opportunity to connect with him and show a sincere interest in his creativity and learning, and experiment along with them.
One of the best ways to sharpen a skill is to use it and my being involved in my child’s creative skill moments helps drive that home for him, and I would encourage you to do the same.
6. Educational & Learning Skills
All of the skills listed above are all a means to learn and develop, allowing your child to think outside the box, be creative, willing to test and try new things, and even take some initiative.
As we encourage children to have a sincere love for learning, we are opening doors for them to be self-reliant, be a team player, be responsible, and succeed in multiple areas of their lives, not just in school or in the workplace.
As much as I may agree with Napoleon Dynamite that having nunchuck skills, bow hunting skills, and computer hacking skills are pretty impressive on paper or in conversation, truly effective skills for our children are the ones that allow them to grow in a healthy, positive manner both mentally and physically, increase self-esteem and the power to go and do on their own and with others, and to find a sense of wholeness, peace, and happiness in an ever-changing world that can sometimes be far too loud and demanding.
John Ruskin said it best in that skill is the unified force of experience, intellect, and passion in their operation.
Now I’d love to hear from you, what was a skill that your parents taught you that has been a huge help in your life? Please leave your comments below and share this post if it has been of value to you or could be to someone else.
About the Author
Hi there! I’m Stephanie Tracy, a freelance writer, and blogger for hire. I specialize in physical and mental health, parenting, and self-development. I create engaging, inspiring, and useful content to help businesses progress in making their viewers into customers. When I’m not writing, you can find me happily playing with my toddler, walking in the park with my family, or indulging in a movie marathon with my husband.