3 Important Things We Can Teach Our Kids in a Fun Way

One of the biggest responsibilities we’re given as parents is teaching our children important life skills, from how to be courteous and polite, to how to handle and take care of themselves. We’re supposed to prepare them to out into the world, whether it’s school, social situations or them eventually getting older and having their own lives when they are old enough. Our kids are a reflection on us and it is our role to give them all the tools that will help them meet their full potential. This is why we really have to be present with our children.

When our kids are young, it’s not like we can just sit them down and give them a serious talk about how the world works, and what they need to do. That’s why we have to find fun ways to teach them the important things, so they learn something valuable without it feeling like a chore. What are the things we need to teach our kids and how can we do it in a fun way that will always be memorable? Here are a few ideas.

Finances

Financial literacy is one of the most needed skills in this world, but it doesn’t get mentioned much in schools. This is clear because so many people find themselves struggling with things like crippling debt and reckless spending, and these are all avoidable if people were taught the basics. As a parent, if you see things lacking in the schools and the curriculum, you have to step in and do something. One of the most fun ways to teach kids about managing money is games. We all grew up playing Monopoly and it taught us a little bit about property, but one of the best games you can play with your kids is CASHFLOW, it’s a game created by the people that brought you Rich Dad, Poor Dad so you know it will teach you some valuable lessons. There’s even a CASHFLOW For Kids. You can add this to your family game night and actually make your kids more financially savvy. Carry these lessons over to asking them how to wisely spend the money they get for their allowance.

Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene is very important, but it often feels like a chore. Most people don’t think about their teeth until they find themselves needing a dentist. According to the owner of this Colorado Dentist Office,  “It’s easy to ignore oral care until you experience an agonizing toothache.” Brushing teeth twice or thrice a day is a behavior we need to instill in our kids when they are young so that it actually becomes a habit. You can teach your kids about the importance of brushing teeth by using art. Grab a white ceramic plate and make your kids smear ketchup, juice, chocolate icing and any other really messy food. Then give them toothbrushes, toothpaste and water to clean and rinse the plate until it’s clean. Make it a competition between your kids, and then carry the behavior into real life by reminding them about the plates when it’s time to brush their teeth.

Gratitude

One of the most emotionally and mentally healthy things to do is develop a habit around gratitude. Life can be challenging, and very often we only put our focus on the negative things that happen to us. In order for us to be happier and to be more resilient, we need to learn to be grateful for the good things in our lives. One of the best ways to teach this to our kids is by making them share what they are grateful for at the end of each day. If you make it a habit, it will become a part of their lives as they get older.

The truth is, all the seeds for a well-adjusted, mature, and intelligent adult are planted in childhood by the things you instill when they are still young. The most important thing, however is that our kids learn more from what we do than what we say. They look up to us so they model their behavior on how they see us behave. So if we want them to learn how to handle money well, take care of their hygiene, we have to do it first.