"27 Skills Your Child Needs to Know That She's Not Getting in School".

I wouldn't argue that every one of these items is properly the responsibility of public schools. But it's a good list to begin a discussion, and the schools could do--and have done--far, far worse.

  • Investing. What is investing and why is it necessary? How do you do it and what are different ways of doing it? How do you research an investment? How does it compound over time? This is a good conversation to have with your teen. . . .
  • Reading. Sure, we’re taught to read. But schools most often make this boring. Show your child the wonderful imaginative worlds there are out there. And show them how to find out about stuff in the world through the Internet, and how to evaluate what they read for credibility, logic, factualness. . . .
  • Auto. Why cars are needed (no, not to look cool), how to buy a practical car, how to take care of it. How the engine works, what might break down, and how it’s fixed. Should be taught to both boys and girls (that should be obvious, but I had to say it).

Comments