Education:

Kids are information-sponges. Break up the (boring) basics with a little practical advice.

I know teachers are over-worked as it is, but that is a separate issue. Whether the school system makes time for this, or not, your child NEEDS to learn these basic skills.

These skills could be taught by anyone.

Having a list (like this) makes sure things aren't missed

Be sure to hover over the blue text for additional information/specifics. Like this

Kindergarden - Grade 3

• Nutrition
• Apologies ****
  Showing Affection Appropriately
• Kids with Special Needs
• Who Makes a Good Friend

Grade 4 - 7

• Accepting People that are different.
• Outdoor Life Skills
  Keeping Warm / Dry,
  Starting a Fire,
  Finding Food / Water,
  Finding / Creating Shelter,
  Animal Dangers (Dogs especially),
  What to Do if Lost
• Voting
• Realistic Goal Setting
• Thoughts vs Feelings
• How to interact with a Police Officer
  Be polite. Don't run. How to surrender.
• Bulk Math
  How to Divide at Costco. Comparative Shopping. Consumer Reports
• Earthquake Preparedness (beyond duck+cover)
• Conflict Resolution

Grade 8 - 12

• Social Media
  What not to post, Cyber-bullying, self-esteem.
• Charity/Volunteering
  The importance of helping others
• Common Scams
  Credit Card Fraud. Identity Theft, Pyramid Schemes
• Value of Education
  Highschool Dropout vs. Graduate vs. Doctor in lifetime Pay
• Cost of Babies at too young an Age
• Fact-Checking
  Googling, Snopes.com, and checking Sources / Biases
• Good Debt Vs. Bad Debt Scams
  Predatory Lending, Pay-as-you-go, Compound Interest, Credit Cards, Mortgage/Interest Rates.
  How Being Broke costs money.
  Not Living Paycheque to Paycheque
• Budgeting / Balancing a Chequebook
Email Etiquette
• Comprehensive Sex Education
  NOT Abstinence-Only
• Food Security
  Gardening
• Healthy Living
  Nutrition. Carcinogens: Smoking, drinking, drugs, etc.
• How to Pay your Taxes
• Self Image
  Self-confidence, Esteem building, Independence
• Effective Debating*
  And How to Respectfully Challenge Authority
• Basic Sewing
  Sew a Button. Hem Pants.
• Basic First Aid
  Breathing, Circulation, Blood Loss, 9-11, Check for Dangers
• Basic Automotive Maintenance
  Oil Changes, Jump Starts, Tire Changing, Gas vs Deisel.

Take the Pledge. Will YOU as a parent promise to teach your child these tasks, by the appropriate age?:

Other Thoughts:

I realise Most of these things would be covered in Swimming Lessons, Boy Scouts/Girl Guides, and Team Sports. Encourage frequent conversations with adults about what they thought at "your age" and why they now know they were wrong.

Drilling Children About School shooting is useless.
Techniques won't save lives, unlike other drills, and just scare/confuse the kids.
Strengthen the classroom doors if you want.
I think Schools do drills for liability protection.

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