During the summer or other holidays, parents and grandparents seem to flock to Facebook filling it with requests for entertainment suggestions: My grandson or my daughter is bored. What can we do?
This made me think–I don’t remember feeling bored in the summers or on holidays, especially when visiting my grandparents.
It’s not that they set out to fill every minute of my visit with activities, we went about everyday life and I joined in. I was a part of what they did: feed the chickens, stack wood, and put oil in the vehicles. I remember making a batch of sourdough biscuits and asked to take the recipe home with me. (Yes, next fun activity—learning to make sourdough starter.)
Maybe that’s why I wasn’t bored? I was learning some basic skills that helped me now to contribute to the family.
I believe children want to know these types of skills because it’s so adult-like. But we adults have gotten in to the mindset that children are too young to be able to handle such mundane and “grown-up” tasks. Oh, many can cook mac and cheese in the microwave, but what about cooking in a skillet?
It’s possible to add this kind of learning to our family’s routine, if we have a plan to do so. Let’s be honest, few of us think, “Let’s teach the kids how to use a screwdriver.” For some of us, we don’t use a screwdriver often, so the opportunity doesn’t come up.
How Can Skill Trek Help?
Skill Trek is a web-based, hands-on family curriculum, which helps us guide our children through all those little, and big, life skills.
The lessons go beyond the usual balance a checkbook and plunge the toilet instructions. Instructions for swimming, politely greeting a new person, and using the stars for navigation are also included. Kids (and parents) also learn practical skills such as hanging a picture, sewing a button, and making a healthy smoothie.
Unlike life skills classes offered in many schools, Skill Trek is more than book learning. In fact, because the lessons are online, there are no standard textbooks. It is made up of a series of tasks, which include printable lessons, assignments, videos, and hands-on practice.
Skill Trek is all-around preparation for life while enhancing the family and having fun. When children are involved in household routines and learn beyond mere academics, boredom will be unheard of.
