Basic Life Skills

Many schools in the US stopped teaching Home Economics class to students for basic survival life skills. I heard stories of young adults that cannot feed themselves nor clean their own space at 18. Being around young sailors in Yokosuka, Japan opened my eyes to the lack of basic survival life skills and experience for a better comfortable life. Thus, they are less productive at home and would result in a quick fix. Most schools in Asia enforce life skills to help its people survive on their own.

         I studied in a public school where we were taught to scrub and sweep the floor. The teachers taught us to sew holes in clothes, make an apron and short pants, do the laundry by separating colored from white clothing, cooking, washing the dishes, and many more. As for parents, I believe that you want your own child to be independent as they grow up rather than relying on you a lot and not being able to function without your presence.

         YCS opened its first Life Skills club this school year and was a success to see the students learning how to fold clothes, plastic bags, do the dishes, mopping the floor, vacuuming, and even sewing. The students had fun learning all these things and are excited to learn new things every Thursday in Life Skill’s club. We would like to continue enforcing these skills learned by encouraging parents to give their child opportunities at home to apply these skills.

         Basic life skills do not need to start in 1^st grade. It can start as young as preschool. Here are suggested life skills activities that a child can do at home during the summer break before going back to school.

As we teach our children these skills, it becomes an investment for their future as it helps them to grow and be more independent.