If you had twins, a boy and a girl, who started kindergarten this year, they’ll graduate high school in 2032. Being the forward thinker you are, what skills should you teach now to prepare them to join the workforce? Should you teach your daughter the same skills as your son? I found five skills that give both boys and girls a head start in the workforce.
1. Social skills
The social skills children learn in kindergarten can determine whether they end up in the workforce or prison. (No pressure, Mom and Dad.) Model the behavior you want them to exhibit (e.g., control yourself when you’re angry). To develop social skills, they have to be around their peers. Arrange play dates, take them to story time at the library, put them in children’s programs at your church. Sometimes you need to be present to observe and correct their behavior, and sometimes you need to be absent so they can test what they’ve learned.
2. Chores
Ask them to empty smaller waste cans throughout your house into your kitchen trashcan then have them accompany you when taking it out. When they’re older, they can assume the whole process. The same applies to cleaning their rooms, doing laundry, emptying the dishwasher, etc. When they help you, they get used to collaborating which is a skill they’ll need for future group projects in school, playing team sports, and eventually on the job. It’s helpful to praise their efforts and not their outcomes (e.g., first praise them for putting their plates in the dishwasher, then ask them to rinse them first next time). This instills a growth mindset which is crucial for success in the workforce.
3. Communication
Teach them how to translate emotions into words instead of acting out (e.g., Your child throws a toy because he’s frustrated. Ask him why he threw the toy, then help him find the words to express the emotion.). You also want to teach fundamental skills like making eye contact, saying please, thank you, and sorry, and listening without interrupting.
4. Decision Making
Let them choose what clothes to wear. If she wants you to decide for her, pull out two or three outfits and have her choose one. Let them choose their friends. Only intervene if the friend is a bad influence (e.g., a bully). Don’t snowplow parent. Prepare your child for the road; don’t prepare the road for your child (e.g., Did she leave her reading book at home? Don’t take it to school for her.).
5. How to Fail
Creative problem solving and critical thinking are the top two skills employers want. When they’re about to have a non-catastrophic fail, let it happen. Then frame it as a learning opportunity. Help them figure out why they failed and what they can do to prevent failing that same way next time (e.g., You’ve told him three times to put his dirty clothes in his laundry basket. He left his favorite shirt on the floor and now he wants to wear it to school, but can’t because it has a stain on it. Help him figure out a trigger he can create to remind himself to put that shirt in his laundry basket.).
Do you agree with this list? What skills do you think the workforce of 2032 will need? Please share in the comments section below.