Title: “If I had a Hammer – Tools for Life”
Exhibitor: Nancy Brown
Description: This idea emphasizes the importance of work we do within
and for the family. Real-life skills our children need are best taught at home. “Life Skills for Kids, “ by Christine M. Field, provides an extensive and well-organized list of important skills that are appropriate for a wide variety of ages. These life skills are also important components of the YW personal progress, YM Duty to God, Cub Scout Advancements, and BSA Merit Badges.
How To’s:
Why is Family Work Essential?
It is an investment in service that always pays double dividends, now and in the future.
Builds bonds of love and service.
Enhances feelings of genuine self-worth based on true competence.
Strengthens problem-solving, communication, planning, and evaluative skills
Life skills equip a child for the future.
READ: “The Connecting Power of Family Work” by Kathleen Slaugh Bahr
Brigham Young Magazine, Spring 2000, online at www.byu.edu/bym/
An inspired and inspiring article that will solidify your feelings about
family work.
Ideas are everywhere! Dovetail YOUR family needs with church and community programs (Young Women Personal Progress, Aaronic Priesthood Duty to God, Cub Scout and BSA Merit Badge pamphlets, 4-H).
An interesting starting point is out lined in the article, “What to Teach Your Kids Before They Leave Home,” by Marilyn Vos Savant, Parade Magazine, March 25, 2001, available online. She includes domestic, physical, handyman, outdoor, recreational, and social skill areas, among others.
[TB1]It
would be great if by the age of 18 every young person could do the following
(reprinted with permission, Parade
Magazine, Marilyn vos Savant ©, 2001):
DOMESTIC SKILLS
Cook (don’t just open and pour!) a traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner
Wash and iron clothes
without ruining them (plus, removing spots).
Replace a button, baste a
fallen hem and polish your own shoes.
Extra credit: Make a loaf of bread
(without a machine) or bake a cake from scratch.
PHYSICAL SKILLS
Throw and catch balls of all sizes without breaking your fingers.
Swim half a mile, tread
water for half an hour and float for an hour. Ride a bike
with confidence.
Extra credit: Be able to get a kite up in
the air, keep it there and bring it back
down in one piece.
HANDYMAN SKILLS
Hang a picture straight without making extra holes in the wall.
Paint neatly, including
cleaning up the mess.
Know which tools perform what functions and how to use them around the house.
Extra credit: Sharpen a knife without
cutting yourself.
OUTDOOR SKILLS
Hike with friends all day without getting lost, bitten or covered
with a rash.
Bait a hook, catch a fish,
reel it in, remove the hook, then clean and cook the fish.
Plan and manage a weekend camping trip with friends.
Extra credit: Know enough about the
wildlife in your area to recognize and feel like a friend to the animals.
PRACTICAL SKILLS
Type well with both hands in the normal manner.
Set up your own computer
system without help from anyone.
Drive a car, including one
with a manual transmission, and maintain it properly.
Extra credit: Change a flat tire.
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
Create a budget.
Note: It takes longer to earn money than to spend it.
Balance a checkbook
manually, even if you bank online.
Maintain an address book
and a personal appointment calendar.
Extra credit: Set up a filing system to
keep all of the paperwork in your life in one place.
SOCIAL SKILLS
Carry on a conversation for 15 minutes with a person you don92t know.
Speak before a small group
of friends for a few minutes.
Tell a joke well enough so
that everybody gets it and maybe even laughs.
Extra credit: Learn enough ballroom
dancing so you can have fun at parties. (Trust me on this one!)
ARTISTIC SKILLS
Draw an illustration at least well enough to get your point across.
Have enough confidence to sing aloud, even when everyone else can hear you.
Know how to play a musical instrument well enough to enjoy playing in a group.
Extra credit: Learn how to take a decent
photograph, so you won’t be disappointed later, when it’s developed. For
example, you can’t shoot fireworks with a flash!
HUMAN SKILLS
Care for a dog, cat or other animal, including when it92s sick.
Baby-sit for children
ranging in age from 6 months to 6 years.
Aid elderly or handicapped people without looking superior.
Extra credit: Help a person in need
without exposing either one of you to danger.
ORIENTATION SKILLS
Get around town on a bus, even if you usually walk or drive.
Read a map, including road maps.
Know what to do if you
find yourself in a bad neighborhood.
Extra credit: Know which direction is
north, south, east and west (without a compass) whenever you’re outside.
RECREATION SKILLS
Play a team sport instead of just watching.
Maintain a fitness
regimen.
Learn a game (like bridge or chess) you can play with friends for life.
Extra credit: Know how to ride a horse,
handle a boat or enjoy a snow sport.
SURVIVAL SKILLS
Know basic first aid and maintain a complete first-aid kit.
Know what to do if you get sick, especially if you’re alone.
Know when to defend yourself, then know how to be effective.
Extra credit: Know CPR. The life you save may be your father’s or mother’s.