Your teen will be gaining more independence throughout their teenage years, developing skills they’ll need as an adult.
During adolescence, young people develop increased coordination and motor ability, together with greater physical strength and prolonged endurance. Playing sport and taking part in activities that get their heart beating faster than normal is good for their physical and mental health.
You can help them develop their fine motor skills that require control and precision with their hands by encouraging them to do art, crafts, play a musical instrument and help with household chores.
- Washing up. Teaching your child to wash dishes is an essential life skill. For teenagers it encourages cleanliness, discipline and helps them feel as though they are contributing to the household.
- Laundry. It's crucial that your child understands how good hygiene includes washing their clothes.
- Hoovering/tidying. Encouraging your child to be responsible for their own belongings, whether that's clothing, toys and books or school resources, will help with their organisation skills.
- Recycling. Teach your child that by improving our recycling habits, we can help keep the environment clean and preserve our natural resources.
- Cooking. Learning to cook is an important life skill that everyone needs to learn. Teaching them how to cook and prepare meals can be a fun and engaging way to learn about healthy living, and learn the skills needed to prepare food safely like using a knife.
- Grocery shopping. A trip to the supermarket requires several skills, like planning a list, finding and choosing items, chatting to shop staff, and paying for the food. It also gives teens the chance to learn about and choose a wider variety of foods.