What are the essential skills children need to learn?

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: August 18, 2023

What skills should a child learn?

Skills are important to be able to function independently in society. That is why it is important to teach children from an early age. At a young age you can teach children skills such as undressing themselves, going to the toilet themselves and eating themselves.

In this article I discuss which skills a child should learn and how you can teach them.

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How can you teach skills in children?

Teaching children skills is very important for their development. It gives them the tools to fend for themselves and function in society. It is therefore important to know how to teach skills in children.

Start at a young age

Learning skills starts at a young age. It is important to realize that children learn from birth. A child's brain is still developing and is open to new information. It is therefore important to start learning skills at a young age.

Match the age and development of the child

It is important to tailor the skills you want to teach to the age and development of the child. For example, you can start teaching practical skills with toddlers, while with older children you can work on cognitive skills such as learning numbers and letters.

Give attention and rest

Learning skills requires attention and rest. Therefore, provide a quiet environment in which the child can concentrate. Give the child time to master the skill and do not compare it to other children. Every child develops at his own pace.

Use short and longer exercises

You can teach skills through short and longer exercises. Short exercises are suitable for young children, while older children benefit more from longer exercises. It is important to vary the exercises and to challenge the child.

Offer help and support

Learning skills can sometimes be difficult for a child. Therefore, offer help and support where necessary. Show the child how to do it and give praise when it goes well. This will give the child more self-confidence and will master the skill more quickly.

Do not wait to long

It is important not to wait too long before learning skills. The sooner you start, the more time the child has to practice and perfect the skill. This way the child can go to primary school with a well-filled 'backpack'.

What should a child be able to do when it goes to primary school?

Before a child goes to primary school, he or she is expected to be ready for school. This means that the child must master a number of skills, such as language skills, task orientation and concentration. Most children have already developed these skills in kindergarten or preschool, but it's always good to get some extra practice at home.

Practical skills

In addition to school readiness, there are also a number of practical skills that a child must master before entering primary school. With this you can think of:

• Undress and dress independently, including putting on coat and shoes
• Going to the toilet independently and being potty trained
• Eating and drinking independently
• Wash hands independently
• Cutting, pasting and pricking independently
• Independent play and clean up

It is useful to practice these skills before the child goes to school, so that they become familiar with them.

Gym class and outdoor games

At school, the child will have regular PE lessons and play outside. It is therefore important that the child gets enough exercise and is used to playing outside. With this you can think of:

• Let the child get used to different weather conditions, so that they can go outside even in bad weather
• Teach the child to tie shoelaces independently and to put on and take off clothes for gym class
• Getting the child used to carrying a backpack or bag

Start at school

The start of school can be exciting for some children. It is therefore important to prepare the child well for the first day of school. With this you can think of:

• Get the child used to the idea of ​​going to school by talking about it and possibly visiting the school
• Let the child get used to the idea of ​​one teacher or several teachers in groups
• Getting the child used to the idea of ​​sitting at school for several hours and concentrating
• Give the child a good start by, for example, showing a nice video or giving a sponsored package with fun things for school

Continue learning

Once the child is in school, they will learn many more skills. With this you can think of:

• Learning to read and write words and sentences
• Learning to count and count
• Learning embroidery, sawing and other practical skills
• Learning to interact with other children and to present themselves in groups

It is important to support the child in this and to ensure that it feels comfortable at school. This way the child can develop and grow optimally.

What skills can you teach preschoolers and other children?

Children naturally learn to interact with others, but it is important to help them develop their social skills. You can think of learning how to deal with different situations, such as waiting your turn, asking for help and recognizing feelings in others. Some tips to help with this are:

• Encourage your child to play with other children and teach them to help each other and work together.
• Teach your child to be considerate of others and to share.
• Help your child express and understand his or her feelings.
• Provide your child with rules and structure to learn how to deal with certain situations.

Self-reliance and practical skills

Self-reliance and practical skills are important for a child's development and for everyday life. You can think of learning how to dress, eat and drink, and clean up toys. Some tips to boost these skills include:

• Let your child put on his or her shoes and coat.
• Give your child the opportunity to eat and drink themselves and teach them how to use cutlery.
• Teach your child to clean up after play and to follow cleanup rules.

Cognitive skills in children: how do you stimulate them?

Cognitive skills have to do with a child's ability to process, understand and apply information. This includes the ability to learn, remember, reason, plan and solve problems. It develop cognitive ability is essential for a child's growth and development.

How do children develop cognitive skills?

Cognitive skills develop gradually as a child gets older. The development depends on several factors, such as the age of the child, the environment in which it grows up and the genetic predisposition. It is important to understand that every child develops at their own pace and there is no set age for a child to master certain skills.

How can you stimulate cognitive skills?

As a parent, you can stimulate your child's cognitive skills in various ways. Here are some tips:

• Toys: Choose toys that stimulate your child's cognitive skills, such as blocks, puzzles, and games. This helps develop spatial awareness, problem-solving skills and creativity.
• Talk regularly: Talk to your child regularly and ask questions to stimulate his or her thinking. This helps develop language skills and communication skills.
• Play outside: Let your child play and explore outside. This helps develop sensory perception and spatial awareness.
• Home rules and structure: Create rules and structure at home to help your child develop planning and organization skills.
• Learning New Things: Encourage your child to learn and explore new things. This helps develop curiosity and learning ability.
• Do things together: Do things together with your child, such as drawing, crafts and playing games. This helps develop social skills and cooperation.
• Repeat and Build: Review things your child has learned and add new information to encourage learning.
• Water and sand: Let your child play with water and sand to develop fine motor skills and stimulate sensory perception.
• Draw and write: Encourage your child to draw and write to develop fine motor skills and encourage language skills.
• Games: Play games with your child to stimulate memory and problem solving skills.

What does this mean for your child's education?

Stimulating cognitive skills depends on the age and developmental stage of your child. It is important to understand that every child develops at their own pace and there is no set age at which a child should master certain skills. It is therefore important to be patient and to continue to stimulate and challenge your child.

Motor skills in children: how do they develop?

As humans, we are naturally active and move a lot. This also applies to babies. From birth, babies already start developing their motor skills. In the first months they get to know their own bodies and discover how to move their arms and legs. As the baby gets older, motor skills will continue to develop. For example, the baby learns to roll over, sit, crawl and eventually walk.

The role of parents and toys

Parents play an important role in supporting their child's motor development. This can be done, for example, by encouraging the child to move and play. The right material can also help with this. For example, toys and games can contribute to the development of motor skills. Think of building with blocks, drawing or playing with a ball.

The differences between ages

The development of motor skills varies by age. For example, a four-month-old baby will not yet be able to sit, while a four-year-old toddler can already jump and run well. It is important to take this into account when offering games and activities. For example, a baby can already enjoy playing with a ball, but will not be able to throw it yet.

The positive effects of moving and playing

It is important to encourage children to move and play. This not only has a positive effect on motor development, but also on the health and well-being of the child. By moving and playing, changes occur in the body that contribute to healthy development. In addition, moving and playing provide fun and relaxation.

Outdoor games and playgrounds

Playing outside is a good way to encourage children to exercise. It is important that there is enough space to run and play. Playgrounds are a good option for this. Here children can enjoy themselves and develop their motor skills. Think of climbing, sliding, swinging and playing with a ball or string.

The role of school and group games

Attention is also paid to the motor development of children at school. For example, gym classes are given and group games are played. This contributes to the development of motor skills, but also to the social skills of the child. For example, by playing and moving together, children learn to take each other into account.

The influence of leading and following

Both leading and following play an important role in the development of motor skills. For example, in the beginning a child will mainly be led by the parents or caregivers. Later on, the child will increasingly take the lead and decide for itself what it wants to do. It is important to connect with this and to give the child the space to discover and learn for themselves.

Social skills in children: how do you teach them?

Social skills are essential to a child's development. This involves the ability to get along well with others, to express yourself and to be considerate of the feelings of others. Children who develop these skills well have fewer problems with communication and relationships later in life. It is therefore important to help children develop these skills.

At what age can you start learning social skills?

The teaching social skills starts at a young age. From birth, children learn to communicate and interact with others. As children get older, they can develop more and more social skills. It is important to take into account the age and development of the child. For example, young children can already learn to play together, while older children can focus more on communication and empathy.

How can you deal with any difficulties in learning social skills?

It can happen that a child has difficulty developing social skills. For example, this can be due to a lack of self-confidence or other causes. It is important to look at the needs of the child and to look for suitable solutions. With this you can think of:

• Providing extra support: give the child extra attention and help in developing social skills.
• Looking for suitable activities: look for activities in which the child feels strong and in which they can practice social skills.
• Involving famous people: Involve famous people in teaching social skills, such as friends or family members.
• Seeking Professional Help: If the problem is too big, it may be necessary to seek professional help.

What are some examples of everyday situations where social skills are important?

Social skills are important in many everyday situations. Below you will find some examples:

• Playing together: learning to play together with others in a group.
• Communication: learn to express yourself well and listen to others.
• Self-confidence: learn to stand up for yourself and speak your mind.
• Rules and boundaries: learning to deal with rules and boundaries set by others.
• Sports: learning to cooperate and communicate during sports activities.
• Playing outside: learning to be considerate of others while playing outside.
• At school: learning to get along with other children and to communicate with teachers.

What is the difference between social skills and communication?

Social skills and communication are closely linked. Communication is one of the components of social skills. This involves the ability to express yourself well and to listen to others. However, social skills encompass more than just communication. This includes the ability to get along well with others, consider the feelings of others, and work together in a group.

Self-reliance and practical skills in children

Self-reliance is an important skill that children need to develop. It means that they are able to take care of themselves and save themselves in different situations. You can think of dressing, washing, brushing your teeth, eating and drinking, but also making decisions and solving problems. Self-reliance grows more and more as the child gets older. It is important to give children enough space to develop themselves, but also to guide and support them where necessary. Here are some tips:

• Give children space to do things on their own, but stay close by to help where needed.
• Let children make their own choices and decisions. This increases their self-confidence and independence.
• Make agreements and explain them clearly. This way children know what is expected of them and what to expect.
• Give children experiences of success by showing them what they are already good at and what they have grown into.
• Prepare children for unexpected events, such as a visit to an amusement park or losing a phone number. This can prevent panic.

Conclusion

It is important to teach your child skills. It starts at a young age and you can start it with practical skills like undressing oneself and washing oneself. Then you can work on cognitive skills such as reading and math. It's important to start slowly and wait for them to master the skill themselves.

If your child masters these skills, school readiness will be a pleasant start.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.