Travel with kids is a great time to have fun and reconnect with the family. It is also a great time to sneak in a little eduction on life skills. Learning can be fun and games. Here is our list of top 10 life skills to learn while on vacay. 10. How to pack a bag.
Packing is not just throwing some stuff in a suitcase and zipping it up. Proper packing requires the skill of thinking ahead. How long will we be gone? What is the weather like? What are our activities? Talk about your trip with your kids ahead of time and let them take first shot at packing their own suitcase. Then double check it and discuss what changes you make. DOUBLE CHECK PASSPORTS at least two weeks ahead of time!!! Once Whitney's passport went missing four days before departing for Thailand. Planning ahead is a great life skill to have. 9. How to pack a backpack.
Similar to a bag, but slightly different. Packing a back pack involves the skill of entertaining yourself. Are you a gamer or a reader? Are there documentaries or kids shows set in your travel destination? How much time travel time are you looking at and what are the parameters of space? What is your back up plan for a second activity? Chargers, snacks and accessories all require proper planning. It involves visualizing the trip and taking responsibility for yourself. And don’t forget the lovie! 8. How to get through security.
Planning ahead and rule following is the skill applied here. Talk about what to expect when you get to your location (Airport, public building etc), why they have security, and what you can do to get through quickly. Planning outfits and being knowledgeable about what is in your backpack so you can sail on through means your little one knows there are rules, what the rules are and self awareness to comply. 7. How to find your gate and read a schedule.
Knowing how to get around a strange place is a must - and knowing how to be on time is even more important. Knowing that "the airplane doesn’t wait on you" is a skill that translates to many things in life. Often our kids just blindly follow - or even worse, pose an impediment to being where you need to be when you need to be there. Empowering your little ones to take charge of getting the family to the gate on time is fun and a real ego boost. As your child learns ABC’s and 123’s, stop at each turn and have them show you the way. If they guess wrong just nudge “let’s think about this” and walk them through how to get the correct answer. And don’t forget to brag to the gate agent how little Walker got you there on time! 6. How to hail a cab.
Or, track down what ever other mode of transportation is available. Thinking about how to get from one place to another, exploring options, then knowing how to accomplish the ride is not only fun, but a real necessity in life. Do you need a ticket? Is there an app? How do you communicate where you are going? And most importantly how and when to ask for help. Getting there is half the fun and a skill that will carry them far. 5. How to read a map.
Whether on the phone, on the wall, or a big fold out piece of paper - everyone needs to be able to orient as to where you are and where you want to be. In our everyday lives, kids are often in the back seat not playing any attention to to route between home and the soccer field. When you are all in a new place, they are especially empowered because they have just as much knowledge as you do about the surroundings. Skill alone caries the day. Let them learn and brag about how they got you there. 4. How to find your way home.
Don’t think I encourage these skills just for fun. I encourage them from a deep seeded fear of loosing my chicks. Yet, my neurosis helps me prepare so nothing bad will happen. Whether it is home home, or hotel home? Talk to your kids about where you are staying. What is it called, where is it on a map? What are the landmarks around it? And if you get separated, what is the plan for meeting back up? In life, everyone needs to know where “home” Is and how to get there - just ask Dorothy and Toto. 3. How to order at a restaurant. Vacay is a perfect time to try something new. Take the time to talk about the menu selections - both familiar and “local.” Make a selection that is safe for sustainability AND something new to try (no lecturing if they don’t like it after they try it -tell them how proud you are of them for giving it a shot). Then, LET THEM ORDER IT. Teach them how to look at the server and say their choice in a volume that can be understood. Even if you have to whisper a reminder of the side item or drink so they can repeat it, do it! Knowing how to make healthy choices, how to try something new and how to communicate that is something we all need to know in adulthood. Teach it now. 2. How to say "hello" and "where is the restroom."
English speakers are so lucky. Most areas that thrive on tourism are easy to navigate in English. But good manners and necessity would dictate that your kids can learn a couple of phrases in the native language to address “emergencies.” If the rest of the world can learn a second language to make Your beach trip easy, the least we can do is teach our kids to say “thank you” in a local language. It’s not easy sometimes. But it teaches your kids an appreciation for how much that server worked to get his job, empathy for those that don’t speak the native language and -news flash - a new language. Also, you would not believe how much attention your kids will get if they just give it a shot. Usually they are lavished with attention just for applying base level manners. 1. How to jump off a cliff. I mean this figuratively and literally.
Travel gives your kids a chance to step out of their comfort zone. It gives them a chance to try something new. It gives them a chance to have an experience that makes them feel special. It also gives them a chance to learn risk assessment, how to ask questions, how to listen and how to follow instructions. There is no better feeling than sticking the landing and having a story to tell. Whether it is riding a bike, eating a bug, swimming with sharks or jumping off a cliff- learning how to expand your horizons safely can lead to a life of experiences and adventure. In daily life, our kids rely on us for so many life skills because we are the expert. But, we are so busy we have to take the path of least resistance to get through the day - teaching life skills is often brushed past. Family travel is the perfect time to show your kids that they are a valuable part of a team; skills, not just superior knowledge, can open the door to new experiences; and applied learning can be an absolute blast! Happy traveling! And remember, it’s either a good time or a good story.
Either way, you are a winner.