Psychology Dictionary
  • Dictionary
    • A
    • B
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • I
    • J
    • K
    • L
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • P
    • R
    • S
    • T
    • U
    • W
    • Y
    • Z
  • Health Topics
    • ADHD
    • Anxiety Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Dissociative Disorders
    • Epilepsy
    • Insomnia
    • Neurology
    • Oncology
    • PCP
    • Pediatrics
    • Personality Disorders
    • Primary Care
    • Schizophrenia
    • Sleepdisorders
    • Substance Abuse Disorders
Aa
Psychology Dictionary
Aa
Search
  • Dictionary
    • A
    • B
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • I
    • J
    • K
    • L
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • P
    • R
    • S
    • T
    • U
    • W
    • Y
    • Z
  • Health Topics
    • ADHD
    • Anxiety Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Dissociative Disorders
    • Epilepsy
    • Insomnia
    • Neurology
    • Oncology
    • PCP
    • Pediatrics
    • Personality Disorders
    • Primary Care
    • Schizophrenia
    • Sleepdisorders
    • Substance Abuse Disorders
Follow US
© PscyhologyDictionary.org. All Rights Reserved.
Home > Articles > How to Teach Adult Life Skills
ArticlesUncategorized

How to Teach Adult Life Skills

By N., Sam M.S.

Lao-Tzu, a Chinese poet and philosopher, once said, “A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.” Whether you are teaching your child adult life skills like safe driving techniques or managing their finances, you can prepare yourself and your child for the journey.

Use Technology Whenever Possible

The Millennial Generation loves to use technology when learning and exploring their world. You can use apps to teach children how to manage money and time. The repetitive nature of these programs allows learners to practice their skills until they are comfortable. Some programs challenge and engage participants with increasingly difficult tasks and reward systems. You can monitor your child’s progress and assess their ability to apply their skills using real-world scenarios.

Discuss and Model the Skill

Children learn by observing and imitating others. To teach your child any adult life skill, discuss the process that you use and then model the behavior. For example, you can teach your child how to set goals. Use the mnemonic acronym SMART to ensure that your goal is specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. Ask your child to help you set SMART goals for activities like decluttering and organizing a room or planting a garden. Encourage your child to set their own short-range and long-range goals like preparing to obtain their driver’s license or interviewing for a job.

Be Prepared to Seize Teachable Moments

Between the demands of school activities and work, it is difficult to schedule extended teaching sessions with your child. Be prepared to work on adult skills whenever the opportunity arises. In addition to apps, you can use worksheets and role-play various scenarios tasks that your child must perform to demonstrate their proficiency. Give reading assignments that allow your child to gain insights into topics like interview techniques. Ask your child to discuss what they learned and how they plan to use the information.

Allow Your Child to Apply the Skill

After your child has created SMART goals for various adult life skills, give them opportunities to practice these skills in a relaxing environment. While grocery shopping may seem simple, the activity requires various complex skills, such as creating a shopping list, comparing prices and checking out at the register, which you can practice at home using various payment methods. You can teach your child multifaceted tasks by separating each skill that they must perform by dividing it into smaller steps. Ask your child to plan the menu, determine whether they need to purchase ingredients and write the shopping list. Show them how to compare prices based upon the unit cost. If you are consistent, positive and organized, your child will be more likely to learn and use adult life skills.

Cite this page: N., Sam M.S., "How to Teach Adult Life Skills," in PsychologyDictionary.org, February 9, 2016, https://psychologydictionary.org/how-to-teach-adult-life-skills/ (accessed June 8, 2023).
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Avatar photo
By N., Sam M.S.
Sam holds a masters in Child Psychology and is an avid supporter of Psychology academics.

Latest Posts

The Definite Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Guide
ISFJ vs. INTJ - Key Differences and Compatibility
ESTJ vs. INTJ - Key Differences and Compatibility
ENFP vs INTJ - Key Differences and Compatibility 
INTJ vs. ENTJ - Key Differences and Compatibility
Integrative Psychology
Theoretical Orientation Psychology
How To Become an Assistant Psychologist?
Language Psychology
Language Psychology
Job Functions of an Occupational Psychologist (+ How to Become One)
What Does a Behavioral Psychologist Do and How to Become One?
Geriatric Psychologist - Functions & Requirements

Popular Psychology Terms

JUDGMENT
MEDICAL MODEL
HYPERMNESIA
AFFIRMATION
BRAINWASHING
BACKUP REINFORCER
QUALITY
WELL-BEING
MESSAGE-LEARNING APPROACH
AFFILIATIVE BEHAVIOR
SPONTANEOUS NEURAL ACTIVITY
BEHAVIORAL CONSISTENCY
SOCIAL INSTINCT
GROSS MOTOR

Read This Next

Evaluation of a Quantitative Study

By Danielle Bosley

Service Team Roles

By Danielle Bosley

Intelligence Across the African-American and Latino Cultures

By Danielle Bosley

Cultural Norms & Values in the African-American Population

By Danielle Bosley

Evaluation of a Qualitative Study

By Danielle Bosley

Crisis Intervention

By Danielle Bosley

DSM-5 Criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder

By Danielle Bosley

Selecting a Diagnosis

By Danielle Bosley

About Us

Powered by Psychology Dictionary: the only Free Online Psychology Dictionary

Follow Us

©2023 PsychologyDictionary.org

  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy