How do you get your teen interested in learning life skills like managing a checkbook and purchasing insurance? HSLDA High School Coordinator Diane Kummer offers suggestions on how to make life preparation an exciting learning experience for your teen, on today’s Home School Heartbeat with Mike Smith.
Mike Smith:
Diane, we’ve spoken this week about the various areas of life skills that are important to teach high schoolers. But what if parents need help in coming up with ideas to teach these skills?
Diane Kummer:
Mike, here are some thoughts. Parents may want to divide up life skills into eight areas: financial management, job preparation, cultural arts, health care, home and car management, computer skills, volunteering, and most importantly, spiritual preparation. Using resources found on HSLDA’s Homeschooling Thru High School website, as well as from Barbara Frank’s book, Life Prep for Homeschooled Teenagers, parents can easily come up with enjoyable projects that will excite their teens. Listeners may want to request a checklist and resource list that Becky and I put together giving them a good starting place for designing life skill projects. We’ve done the research and we’ve listed good books, articles, and websites, as well as places in the community, such as local cooperative extensions and recreation centers, which may offer classes that teach life skills. I want to encourage parents that their teens will not only love these projects, but they’ll be learning valuable skills along the way.
Mike:
Diane, thank you. Your counsel this week has been absolutely invaluable. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.
