To help children have a bright future, it’s good to help them gain the core skills they need to navigate life’s challenges. Academics and extracurricular activities help as well as everyday experiences which shape children’s thoughts and outlook in life.
Skills children need to succeed in life
We often think about success as related to finances and happiness. To help our children become financially successful and live a reasonably happy life, it’s good to help them develop the following core skills:
- Self-control
- Focus
- Planning
- Awareness
- Flexibility
These are skills critical for children to develop in their early years (ages 3 to 5). In this period, their brains rapidly form crucial neural connections that can shape their future. Although later years still play a role, the children’s early years are a good opportunity for them to set a strong foundation and learn the core skills early on.
One such core skill is self-control. Here, children have to learn how to react and respond to stressful situations. If they can control or somehow wait for their anger to subside before talking or taking action, other children will feel good around them or they will become easier to get along with. We can help children develop self-control by explaining to them how their own behaviours affect others.
Another skill is focus. It’s actually a valuable skill now because it’s challenging to focus now. One reason is that smartphones and the internet provided us and children with endless stimulations and distractions. So to help children develop the ability to focus, it’s good to limit their exposure to games and the internet.
Planning is also a core skill where children can imagine scenarios and consequences. This also helps them set concrete goals and lay out specific plans to achieve them. You can help them develop this skill by letting them participate in planning the day’s activities and grocery shopping.
Awareness is also a valuable skill where children can better understand how they fit in with the current situation and with other people. With this better understanding, they can behave appropriately or better appreciate what’s around them. You can help children develop awareness by letting children take part in community activities (with your guidance).
Flexibility is also a critical skill. The times are rapidly changing, which is why it helps to become adaptable in changing situations. You can help your child become more adaptable and flexible by sometimes being spontaneous (not sticking too much to the schedule) and by being a role model yourself if things don’t go according to plan (such as by being cheerful and still making the most out of the moment).
The key here is to help children become equipped to deal with different situations. This way, they can always feel confident and strong about the challenges and fun times ahead.
