10+ Important Life Skills for Teenagers
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Looking for the most important life skills for teenagers? Teens have a lot on their plate and with so many things changing, it can feel overwhelming. These important life skills for teenagers can help them avoid unnecessary stress later in life.
Teenagers are so busy these days but with high school graduation creeping up, they must set aside some time to master crucial life skills that will help them later on.
These life skills may not always feel super exciting to a teen but they will be very glad they learned the basics once they are out on their own.
There are some great options to help teens learn these skills. Everything from spending some time learning directly from mom or dad to taking advantage of online learning opportunities like Study.com, which has engaging videos teens can do on their own time.
Study.com is a great resource for homework help, flexible homeschooling options, and SAT test prep but we also love it for exploring some of the topics my kids are interested in learning more about. They have some great resources for life skills that kids need to know and these videos can be watched at any time that works for your teens.
Taking the time to learn some of these life skills now can help teens so much in the future. I’ve enjoyed watching Study.com videos along with my teens because it has given us the opportunity to talk about the things they are learning as well.
Sign up to try Study.com for yourself and save 25% on your first month using this link
How to Budget the Grocery Budget as an Independent Adult
One of the most frequently used life skills for older teens and young adults is grocery shopping within a budget. Most teens have very little experience budgeting, even if they know a few basic recipes. This printable grocery list will help teens stick to what they really need at the store.
Give teens a few practice runs before leaving home. Teach them how to look through the weekly grocery ads and use them to make a menu plan. This printable weekly menu plan is bright and fun and gives teens a way to plan their meals out. My family saves these once they are done so we can repeat them on weeks we are too busy to create a new menu plan.
Time Management as a Life Skill for Teenagers
Everyone struggles with time management, even adults who have been adulting for a while. Having good time management skills can set teens up for success in college and in their future career though, so it is important to work on mastering these skills now.
Study.com has an excellent course called “Time Management Activities for College Students” and another one geared towards high school students. Sign up to try Study.com for yourself and save 25% on your first month using this link and have teens learn some of the basics about time management before they head off to college.
Effective Communication Skills for Teens
Communication skills are so important but they are one of the things that are a huge struggle for teens who are digital natives and grew up texting instead of talking face to face. An afterschool job can be a great way for teens to practice those face-to-face communication skills, as can volunteering for a leadership position in student government.
For teens who want to give a little deeper, especially if they are getting ready to graduate and head into a new career, Study.com has some great lessons on workplace communication that is probably a must-watch for most adults out there too.
How to Manage Money for Teens
Money management is so important for teens. Learning some money management before moving out on their own can allow them to make mistakes while the stakes are small. Have your teen begin paying and budgeting for a few basics like their cell phone bill and gas money.
This free printable monthly budget form can help teens have a better idea where their money is going and how much they need to earn.
How to Write a Resume
Resume writing is not something that a lot of teens have a lot of experience with but it can mean the difference between getting your dream job or just taking whatever is offered to you.
For teens who do not have a lot of experience, a skills based resume may be the better option. They can emphasize the skills they have learned any any achievements.
Study.com offers a series of videos about career counseling that can be very helpful for students who are ready to take the first steps into a more career-focused job.
How to Use Public Transportation
For teens who have grown up outside of a city, public transportation may be a foreign concept but you never know when that skill will come in handy. I made a point to take my older teens on a trip where they could navigate public transportation and learn the basics of getting around without a car, including how to stay safe on public transportation and while using ride-share services. For teens who don’t have that option, you can find some great YouTube videos about navigating the subway and bus systems in major cities.
Basic First Aid as a Life Skill for Teenagers
Hopefully, most of us won’t have a huge need for first aid, but there are always things that come up as a part of life. Be prepared with some basic first aid and lifesaving knowledge, including CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.
Many communities offer low-cost CPR certification and first aid courses. If that is not an option, you can find some great YouTube videos that cover the basics to watch with your teen.
Basic Car Maintenance as a Life Skill for Teenagers
You never know when you are going to have to change a tire or know what to do when that check engine light comes on. Basic car maintenance is an essential life skill for teens but often not something they think to learn about until it is too late. Have a talk about some of the essential things to do to maintain a car. Your teen will likely save thousands of dollars by avoiding costly repairs down the road.
Stress Management as a Life Skill
Stress is, unfortunately, part of life. Knowing how to deal with stress in a healthy way can help your teen for the rest of their life. There’s no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to stress management but taking the time as a teen to learn some coping mechanisms that work can be a huge help later on.
How to Do Laundry Without Ruining Clothes
Laundry is just one of those things that has to be done. Unlike many household chores, laundry can actually cost you money if you don’t know the basics. We all know someone who threw a red shirt in a old of whites during college. Unless you want pink clothes, a laundry mistake like this can cost a lot of money when you have to replace things that were ruined.
Have your teen start doing their own laundry early so they understand the basics. My kids start doing laundry at age 10 and even though we still have some mishaps (like a pen going through the wash and ruining a load of nearly new shirts) my kids are learning most of the basics.
Mastering these important life skills for teenagers early will help your teen be much more prepared when they are on their own. Using tools like YouTube, friends and family members willing to teach some skills, and online learning platforms like Study.com, teens have a lot of opportunities to learn some important life skills.
