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Original poster

What 5 things should all children learn at school

38 replies

Blandmum · 05/10/2006 16:13

?
Taking out behavioural/ social interaction things, what 5 things should all children 'know' by the time they are 16?

OP posts:
auntymandy · 05/10/2006 16:16

times tables
to tell the time using an analogue clock

sugarfree · 05/10/2006 16:19

How to cook a meal from scratch without using tins or a frying pan.
How to budget.
How to sew on a button.
How to type fast.
How to manage your time effectively.

auntymandy · 05/10/2006 16:24

I only got to 2 as I was on the phone to an annoying women!!!

southeastastralplain · 05/10/2006 16:25

how to read and write would be good

Cappuccino · 05/10/2006 16:26

definitely budgeting

reconciling bank statements etc

binkacat · 05/10/2006 17:21

All the battles of the Spanish peninsular war. Well its the only thing I can rememebr that I was taught at school (could read and write before I started).

Apart from reading and writing if they can't already then I can't really think of anything. A foreign language would be useful.

I've learnt more since leaving school than I ever learnt in it. Even though I got a load of good GCSEs.

misdee · 05/10/2006 17:24

basic skills, like housework my dh didnt know how to cook a meal, use a washing machine etc when we moved in together.

how to wire a plug (are we allowed to wire our own plugs these days with goverment red tape?)

how to cook.

budgetting

how to cycle safely on roads. i saw an older gent (mid 40's?) hjaving cycling lessons the other day with a trained instructor. i never did my cycling proficancy, so its something i would consider important.

sugarfree · 05/10/2006 17:30

Ooh good one Misdee.

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 05/10/2006 17:32

ermmm sorry - but shouldn't basic skills like housework and cooking be down to the parents as much as the school?????

misdee · 05/10/2006 17:35

yes QofQ, but it obviosuly isnt happening as so many people leave home and dont have a clue. whats wrong with spending an lesson or 2 a term on how to wire as plug/budget?

oh and cookery classes (home ec it used to be when i was at school) should be longer sessions so a proper meal can be cooked rather than fairy cakes.

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 05/10/2006 17:37

yes I agree home ec should be longer - but I still think it's up to the parents to teach children how to cook and clean........I think a lot of parents DO know how to cook but just don't bother. And a few lessons in school isn't really going to help a child who gets no 'practice' or experience at home IMO.

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 05/10/2006 17:39

and I also think that many parents (not saying you!) now think that it's up to the schools to teach our children everything from literacy, to basic life skills - and don't want to accept responsiblity.

SenoraPostrophe · 05/10/2006 17:40

all children should know:

  1. how to read
  2. how to write
  3. how to add up
  4. how to cook at least something
  5. that there are lots of people in the world worse off than them.

the world would be a better place if more people knew the last thing.

CalifornifamousFANGjo · 05/10/2006 17:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

margauxx · 05/10/2006 17:45

how to swim?

misdee · 05/10/2006 17:47

i know you dont mean me lol. i love teaching my dd;s thing from how flowers grow from seeds, to cooking, about health (my 6year old knows too much about how hearts work tbh), to helping her read.

but for those kids who dont get any support at home on how to do basic life stuff, maybe because their parents dont know, should they really be left to carry on like that?

there was a thread on here the other day from tamba who had never cooked a chicken and veggies in her life. that thread made me feel very sad, as i feel that cooking a meal from scratch is something eveyone should know.

stleger · 05/10/2006 17:47

timetables
supermarket skills
buttons and hems
alphabetical order
saying please and thankyou

Original poster
Blandmum · 05/10/2006 17:48

sp, fwiw, I totaly agree with the first 4 (I also agree with the last but feel that is a 'behavioural/social thing}

Not sute what the last would be, tempted by swimming

OP posts:
SenoraPostrophe · 05/10/2006 18:18

Oh OK - I suppose it is behavioural/social.

In that case my number 5 is how to learn.

glitterfairy · 05/10/2006 18:20

how to have fun
how to learn
how to enjoy life
how to live a good life
how to help others

Original poster
Blandmum · 05/10/2006 18:29

all great things glitter, but I think they are also 'behavoural/social' things....with the exception of how to learn.

OP posts:
Issymum · 05/10/2006 18:45
  1. How to critically analyse information from any source, in any medium and work out whether or not it's bullshit. This would include a basic understanding of how statistics work.
  1. How to express themselves verbally, in writing and in diagramatic form, clearly and concisely.
  1. Enough technical knowledge and practical skills to provide themselves and their family with a healthy(ish!) diet, parent children, look after a home and manage a simple budget.
  1. Basic mathematical skills including percentages and handling numbers accurately and consistently.
  1. Enough knowledge of history, geography, science, arts, politics, religion and philosophy to make some kind of sense of and enjoy the world.

This is probably wildly over-ambitious, but why shouldn't we be ambitious for all children?

Original poster
Blandmum · 05/10/2006 18:47

Bless you Issy, how I agree with your last statement!

OP posts:
Issymum · 05/10/2006 18:54

Thank you MB. I feel really strongly about this. Hmmm - perhaps I should be doing something about it rather than just feeling it!

WriggleyWitchesJiggle · 06/10/2006 15:15

money management, health ans safety, to read, write and basic maths