“Child, you’re grown up now, you must be independent and take care of yourself!” – A familiar saying from parents as their children grow older. But independence is not something that comes naturally; it needs to be nurtured from a young age. And these 7 soft skills will be valuable assets for children as they step into life.
1. Communication Skills: The Voice of the Heart
Did you know that humans are created to connect with each other? Communication is not just about talking; it’s also how we express ourselves, understand others, and build good relationships.
Story:
When I was a child, I used to get bullied at school. I was scared and didn’t dare to tell anyone. Then one day, I decided to share it with my parents. Surprisingly, my parents didn’t scold me but gently encouraged me and guided me on how to solve the problem. From then on, I learned how to communicate more effectively and was no longer afraid when facing difficulties.
Advice:
- Encourage your child to chat with friends and relatives, and participate in group activities to practice communication skills.
- Guide your child on how to listen, show respect, empathy, and express emotions clearly.
- Always be a role model for your child in civilized, polite, and effective communication.
2. Problem-Solving Skills: Overcoming Challenges
Life is not always a bed of roses. Problems and difficulties are inevitable. Instead of backing down, teach your child how to face and solve problems creatively and effectively.
Story:
When I was in middle school, I loved playing video games. I spent hours playing, neglecting my studies. My parents were very worried and reminded me about the importance of studying. But I didn’t listen and continued playing games. Then one day, I realized my grades were getting worse and worse. At that moment, I understood that solving problems is not just about listening to other people’s advice, but also requires self-awareness and determination.
Advice:
- Encourage your child to think, analyze problems logically, and come up with appropriate solutions.
- Support your child in finding information and learning from the experiences of others.
- Teach your child how to stay calm, persistent, and not give up when facing difficulties.
3. Planning Skills: Organizing Life
Planning helps us live with goals, be more organized, and more efficient. This is especially important in today’s era, when life is increasingly busy and stressful.
Story:
Ngoc, a friend of mine, is a very dynamic woman and is always busy with work. However, she often finds herself in a “rush” because she doesn’t have a plan. She often forgets tasks, deadlines are approaching, making her very stressed. After applying planning methods, Ngoc’s life became much tidier, more scientific, and more effective.
Advice:
- Teach your child how to allocate time reasonably and plan daily and weekly activities.
- Encourage your child to write down things to do and prioritize important tasks.
- Help your child review and evaluate plans, and adjust them to suit the actual situation.
4. Teamwork Skills: The Power of Community
Cooperation and mutual support are among the important factors for success. Teamwork helps children learn how to share, listen, respect the opinions of others, and work towards a common goal.
Story:
When I was little, there was a classmate in my class who was very good at math but very shy. He often did his homework alone and didn’t want to cooperate with other classmates. Then one day, the teacher gave our class a group assignment. He was very confused and didn’t know what to do. I took the initiative to help him, and together we completed the assignment. From then on, we became close friends, learning and helping each other.
Advice:
- Encourage your child to participate in group activities and team games.
- Teach your child how to share ideas, listen to and respect the opinions of others.
- Guide your child on how to assign tasks, resolve conflicts, and work together towards a common goal.
5. Self-Learning Skills: Thirst for Knowledge
Learning is a continuous journey. Self-learning skills help children proactively acquire knowledge, improve themselves, and become useful members of society.
Story:
Mr. Le Van Binh, a farmer in a poor rural area, although not fully educated, always had a thirst for learning. He taught himself English, read books, and learned about agricultural science to improve productivity and improve his family’s life.
Advice:
- Encourage your child to read books, watch movies, and participate in online courses to expand their knowledge.
- Guide your child on how to find information, analyze, and synthesize knowledge effectively.
- Create motivation for your child to learn by creating a fun, enriching learning environment that suits their interests.
6. Financial Management Skills: Using Money Wisely
Financial management skills help children learn how to use money effectively, save, avoid waste, and prepare for emergencies.
Story:
Tuan, a friend of mine, used to spend money very wastefully. He often bought unnecessary things, spending beyond his means, leading to debt. After attending a financial management course, Tuan changed his habits, learned how to plan expenses, save, and invest effectively.
Advice:
- Teach your child how to distinguish between needs and wants, and prioritize spending on essential things.
- Encourage your child to budget and track daily and monthly expenses.
- Help your child learn how to save, invest, and use money wisely.
7. Stress Management Skills: Staying Strong in the Face of Storms
Life is full of pressures and challenges. Teaching your child how to cope with stress effectively helps them maintain their spirits, confidently overcome difficulties, and achieve success.
Story:
Thu, a young teacher, used to be very worried before each lesson. She was afraid she wouldn’t convey knowledge effectively, afraid students wouldn’t like her. The pressure made her often sleepless and tired. After learning and applying relaxation techniques, Thu reduced stress and became more confident in her work.
Advice:
- Encourage your child to participate in recreational and sports activities to relieve stress.
- Teach your child how to think positively and seek support from family and friends.
- Guide your child on how to breathe deeply and focus on positive things to control emotions.
“Soft skills are the key to the door of success!” – Advice from teacher Pham Van Minh in the book “Secrets of Success”. By cultivating these 7 soft skills from a young age, we are helping our children equip themselves with solid luggage to face challenges and build a fulfilling and happy life.