Children have to be taught proper money management skills. The American Institute of CPAs (Certified Public Accountants ) hold the opiniion that simple lessons taught in childhood will be the premise of financial responsibility in adulthood (see reference 3). Too often, parents ignore this. Proper money management starts out with a long-term savings plan. You can explain to children that if they save $1 per week, they'll have $52 by the end of the year. Carry this concept further by showing children (on paper) what happens when $10 and $100 are saved per week. Make or obtain a piggy bank for long term savings. The American Institute of CPAs recommmends letting the child choose how much of the weekly allowance is put into long term savings, how much to donate to charity, and how much to spend responsibly as disposible income. (see reference 3).
Children have to be taught how to cook. The antiquated stereotype of only girls and women cooking is no longer valid. Both boys and girls should be taught this skill without bias. Start out with simple dishes that you and the child can cook together, such as making and spreading instant pudding on a pre-made sponge cake. Later, more advanced dishes can be cooked, like spaghetti or meatloaf. The California Board of Education stresses that proper sanitary procedures should be taught in cooking, such as proper hand washing before handling food and using sanitary surfaces. (see reference 4)
Adults who have a knowledge-deficit about tools can't do the simplest things such as tightening down a loose door knob because they don't know how to use a screwdriver. The only way to prevent this is by teaching tool use early in life. The antiquated stereotype of only boys knowing how to use tools is an outdated mode of thinking; tool use should be taught to both boys and girls. Obtain a tool box, and fill it with safe age-appropriate tools such as toy wrenches and screwdrivers with large nuts and bolts. Later, introduce hammers and nails. Teach children proper safety procedures, such as keeping hands away from the nail head while pounding the hammer. Lamplighter News recommends teaching children that tools are not toys, but rather equipment that can cause injury if handled the wrong way. A further recommendation is that tools be cleaned and stored properly after use.
Recycling is a skill that has to be taught. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed Recycle City, which presents in a child-friendly manner how recycling is accomplished. For example, the EPA demonstrates how a factory uses recycling in the manufacturing of its products. One good way to teach recycling is by not throwing away aluminum drink cans, but saving them in a recycling container. When the container is full, involve children in taking the cans to a recycling center. Explain how recycling helps preserve the environment.