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ASK:HN- What should I teach my kids

2 points| tedmcory | 11 years ago

I'm looking for discrete skills and facts that can help them get ahead, while making it age appropriate. Let's say that I'm starting at three and then working up.

Plan is to use a Spaced Repetition System where possible and then hands on activities for reinforcement.

7 comments

order

tonyoconnell|11 years ago

Great question. I was thinking about this myself and found it very difficult to answer so I thought about what they absolutely cannot do without learning instead.

My answer is to teach them english (reading, writing and speaking) and computers. If I can teach them these basic skills they can learn anything by themselves.

We live in Thailand where its very expensive to get a good education in english. So I took my kids out of school and hired a teacher to give a very strong foundation in english. I'm teaching them computers. After a while I'll teach them basic maths and then I'll let them choose what they want to learn themselves.

My goal is to give them a love of learning, to help them find out what they love to do and give them the time and tools to become an expert in that.

garysvpa|11 years ago

1.) Love one another

2.) Learn to say please and thank you

3.) Watch TV and play video games just in moderation

4.) Treat others with kindness and be respectful especially to elders

5.) Make healthy food choices

6.) The ability to tell the truth

7.) Take public transportation

8.) Know when to say no

9.) Save money and spend wisely

10.) Listen carefully and look someone in the eye during a conversation

11.) Distinguish needs from wants

12.) Cook a meal, do the laundry and household chores

13.) Developing good study habits

14.) Mom and Dad won't always be there to save you when you screw up

mattivc|11 years ago

Teach them to have a hunger for knowledge, and to find joy in learning. Of all the things my dad taught me, this is what i am the most grateful for.

brudgers|11 years ago

Get ahead of what?

motyar|11 years ago

Teach them how to learn fast.

tedmcory|11 years ago

Actually, yes, that's one of the things I'm teaching my first one. I'm also teaching logical fallacies, how to think about thinking among other thinking skills.

Obvious ones include financial, survival, social.