12 Essential Life Skills that Standard Curriculum is Lacking
Essential Life Skills Have a Place in School
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, gather around, because I am about to share with you some secrets that most schools don’t teach! It’s time to step up our game and start teaching our kids the things that really matter in life. Here are 12 essential like skills that every school should teach, but typically don’t:
Life Skill #1. Financial Literacy: How to make money, save money, and spend money wisely.
At our online Christian elementary school, we understand the importance of financial literacy and how it can have a significant impact on a person’s life, so we make sure to teach our students the basics of finance so they can navigate the world of money with confidence. Here are some additional points to consider:
- Making money is not just about finding a job, but also about making smart investments and taking calculated risks.
- Saving money is crucial for emergencies and long-term financial goals. Students can learn the value of saving by setting up a savings account and contributing to it regularly.
- Spending money wisely means being mindful of one’s expenses and making informed decisions. Students can learn about budgeting and tracking their spending to avoid overspending and accumulating debt.
By teaching financial literacy to our students, we hope to equip them with the tools they need to make informed financial decisions and build a secure financial future for themselves and their families.
Life Skill #2. Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.
At GACA, we believe that emotional intelligence is a life skill that’s just as important as academic intelligence. We recognize that understanding and managing emotions can greatly impact both personal and professional success. That’s why we have integrated emotional intelligence into our curriculum in the following ways:
- We have dedicated classes where students can learn about different emotions and how to recognize and manage them.
- Our teachers are trained to recognize and address emotional needs of students in the classroom.
- We have created a safe and supportive environment where all students feel comfortable expressing their emotions.
By prioritizing emotional intelligence, we hope to prepare our students for a well-rounded and fulfilling life.
Life Skill #3. Relationship with self: Learning to love and care for yourself is an essential life skill for a happy and healthy life.
Our students learn how to practice self-care, self-love, and self-compassion. Here are some additional thoughts about the important life skill of building a positive relationship with oneself:
- Practicing self-care involves taking the time to prioritize your own physical and emotional needs. This can include things like getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and reduce stress.
- Self-love means accepting yourself for who you are, flaws and all. It also means recognizing your own worth and being kind to yourself, even when you make mistakes or face challenges.
- Self-compassion involves treating yourself with the same kindness, concern, and understanding that you would offer to a good friend. This means acknowledging your own pain and struggles, and responding with empathy and support.
By learning and practicing these skills, our students are able to develop a stronger sense of self-worth and resilience. They are better equipped to navigate life’s ups and downs, and to build meaningful relationships with others.
Life Skill #4. Relationship with others: Building strong and healthy relationships with others is a key component of a fulfilling life.
We teach our students the life skills of how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships with others. Here are some additional points to consider regarding the importance of building strong and healthy relationships:
- Effective communication is a crucial aspect of building strong relationships. By learning how to express ourselves clearly and listen actively to others, we can avoid misunderstandings and conflicts that might otherwise damage our relationships.
- Conflict resolution skills are also important for maintaining healthy relationships. When disagreements arise, being able to work through them in a respectful and constructive way can help prevent long-term damage to the relationship.
- Positive relationships can help us achieve our goals. When we have a supportive network of people around us, we are more likely to feel motivated and empowered to pursue our dreams and aspirations
5. Relationship with God: Our school is founded on Christian principles, so we make sure to teach our students about God's love, grace, and forgiveness.
At our school, we believe that teaching our students about God’s love, grace, and forgiveness is a crucial part of their education. Here are some ways in which we foster a strong relationship with God:
- We include prayer, worship and reflection within our daily routine, allowing students to connect with God on a personal level.
- We teach students to turn to God in all things, especially when dealing with emotions.
- Our curriculum across subjects draws from scripture often, where students can deepen their understanding of the Bible and its teachings.
We believe that a strong relationship with God can bring peace, purpose, and fulfillment to our lives, and we are dedicated to helping our students develop that relationship.
6. Critical Thinking: Learning how to think critically and analyze information is a life skill that will serve our students well throughout their lives.
We teach our students how to think for themselves and question everything. In today’s world, where information is readily available at our fingertips, it is crucial to be able to analyze and evaluate the information we come across. Critical thinking skills allow us to make better decisions, solve problems effectively, and form our own opinions based on evidence and reasoning. By teaching our students how to think critically, we are empowering them to become independent thinkers who can navigate the complexities of the world around them. Here are some additional benefits of developing critical thinking skills:
- Increased creativity and innovation in problem-solving
- Enhanced self-awareness and ability to reflect on one’s own beliefs and biases
- Better understanding of ethical and moral issues
By encouraging our students to question everything and think for themselves, we are setting them up for success not just academically, but in all areas of their lives.
7. Creativity: Encouraging creativity and innovation is essential for preparing our students for the future.
Our school provides opportunities for students to explore their creative side through art, music, and other forms of expression. There are many other ways that schools can foster creativity in students, and here are some ways we like to at GACA:
- Encourage students to pursue their own interests and passions outside of class, and provide resources to support those pursuits.
- Offer project-based learning opportunities that allow students to explore and experiment with different ideas and approaches.
- Create a culture of experimentation and risk-taking, where students feel comfortable trying new things and making mistakes.
By prioritizing creativity and innovation in our schools, we can help prepare our students for a rapidly changing world where these skills will be increasingly valuable.
8. Entrepreneurship: Starting a business or pursuing a passion project is a great way to create a fulfilling career and make a difference in the world.
Our school teaches students the basics of entrepreneurship and provides opportunities to practice launching their own businesses. Here are some examples of entrepreneurship life skills we might come across in our curriculum:
- Identifying problems and innovating solutions
- Developing business plans
- Instilling rigorous work ethic, and faithful perseverance
A relentless entrepreneurial spirit, responsible financial stewardship and steadfastness is crucial to have as we pursue our God-given purpose, even if our purpose isn’t starting a business.
9. Modern Computer Skills: In today's digital age, having strong computer skills is essential.
Our school teaches students how to use modern computer programs and software, as well as how to code and program. As technology continues to advance, the demand for individuals with strong computer skills only continues to increase.
In addition to learning how to use modern programs and software, our school also teaches students basic troubleshooting and how to navigate the internet safely and effectively. Here are some other important computer skills that our students learn:
- Collaborative work using cloud-based tools
- Creating and delivering presentations
- Understanding and utilizing social media platforms for personal and professional use
By teaching these skills, our school prepares students to be successful in any field they choose to pursue, as technology plays a crucial role in nearly every industry today.
10. Understanding Different Cultural Perspectives: In an increasingly diverse world, it's important to understand and appreciate different cultural perspectives.
Our school teaches students about different cultures, customs, and traditions from around the world. By learning about different cultural perspectives, students gain a better understanding of the world around them and can develop a deeper appreciation for the unique customs and traditions of different cultures. This can help to promote empathy and respect for others, which are important values in our increasingly interconnected global community. GACA encourages cultural appreciation by:
- Incorporating multicultural literature and history into the curriculum
- Encouraging students to share their own cultural backgrounds and traditions with their classmates
- Exploring music, dance and arts from other cultures and learning how believers around the world praise Christ
By embracing diversity and promoting cultural understanding, schools can help to create a more inclusive and harmonious society for all.
11. Practical, First-Aid and Survival Skills: As the world changes, becoming more tech savvy and less in-tune with practical life skills, its important to have a basic tool kit of knowledge outside of technology.
GACA provides opportunities to get back in touch with the practical matters of life. Here are some examples of Interest Workshops you might see at GACA:
- Basic first-aid
- Gardening
- Navigation with and without a map
By learning these life skills, students can become more independent and self-reliant, and can also help others in need. At our school, we believe in the importance of practical knowledge and we are committed to helping our students develop the skills they need to thrive in the modern world.
12. True Nutrition: What vitamins and minerals the body needs, and how to nourish and heal the body with food.
At GACA, we believe foods directly from the Earth as God intended are the most nourishing for our bodies. We teach children the essential life skill of how to best care for their vessel in some of the following ways:
- We emphasize the importance of a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. This ensures that children receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals that their bodies need to function properly.
- We also teach children about the harmful effects of processed foods, sugary drinks, and junk food. These types of foods are often high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats, and can lead to a range of health problems if consumed regularly.
- Finally, we encourage children to take an active role in preparing their own healthy meals and snacks. This helps them develop a sense of ownership over their own health and well-being, and gives them the skills they need to make healthy food choices for life. By teaching children how to nourish and heal their bodies with food, we hope to set them on a path towards lifelong health and wellness.
By teaching children about nutrition and how to nourish their bodies with wholesome, natural foods, we are helping them establish lifelong habits that will support their health and well-being for years to come.
And there you have it, folks! These are just some of the essential life skills that our online Christian elementary school teaches that are often overlooked by traditional schools. We believe that by equipping our students with these life skills and knowledge, we are preparing them for a successful and fulfilling life.
Golden Apple Christian Academy proudly teaches all of these subjects. Homeschool parents also have the opportunity to teach these life skills as well! We support your choice to give your kids an unconventional education. If you’re a newbie homeschooler, check out our freebie for expert tips on delivering an enriching, outside-the-box education to your child at home.
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