Age Appropriate Skills List


Through parental guidance and oversight, children can learn many skills that will help them in the future.  These page includes skills we have tried to develop in our children so they can become independent and responsible adults by the magic year of 18 (when society assumes our children are ready for adulthood). These lists can and should be tailored using parental guidance to your individual children.

I've compiled my list using brainstorming from these three resources:


Click here to access a beautifully designed and updated version ready to print.

Click here to access an older printable version.
Click here to access a printable quiz to see where your children are at.


Before 3 Years Old

  • Simple errands 
    • (“bring the diaper to mommy, please” etc.)
  • Cleaning with mom 
    • (give a dust rag, child size broom, empty spray can for pretend cleaning
  • Beginning to help make beds 
    • (handing pillows to mom)
  • Helping with grocery shopping 
    • (putting items in basket or on check out counter and handing things to mom to be put away)
  • Take dirty diaper to trash
  • Washing hands
  • Put dirty clothes in hamper
  • Watering plants 
    • (with pre-measured amounts)
  • Yard work 
    • (helping collect trash and toys)

3 Years Old

  • Help sort laundry 
    • (pick out whites, darks, etc.)
  • Take dish to sink
  • Hang up towel after use
  • Basic politeness skills 
    • (thank you, please, no thank you, shake hands, and may I be excused)
  • Put book on shelves 
    • (binding outside and upright)
  • Clean nose and handle tissue
  • Dress self
  • Toilet trained
  • Beginning to brush teeth
  • Pick up toys and put in proper spots
  • Say prayers
  • Proper theatre/movie etiquette

4 Years Old

  • Set table
  • Buckle self
  • Separation of money
    • (savings, spending, donations, retirement, piggy bank)
  • Locate public trash cans
  • Draw thank you pictures
  • Recognize poison labels
  • Put away silverware
  • Bring garbage cans to you so you can empty them
  • Brush teeth
  • Make bed
  • Make own breakfast
  • Make sandwich
  • Clean glass tables
  • Match socks

5 Years Old

  • Sort laundry
  • Straighten room
  • Proper use of media
  • Pick up garbage
  • Make frozen juice
  • Memorize phone and address
  • How to be considerate to adults
  • Fold wash cloths, hand towels, kitchen cloths
  • Use can opener and warm food in microwave
  • Rules for being a friend and how to act a t a friend’s home 
    • (fridge, knocking)
  • Clear table
  • Polish silver
  • Make own lunch
  • Vacuum 
    • (depends on the weight of the vacuum)
  • Keep personal journal
  • Empty garbage to larger can
  • Restaurant/table manners
  • Raising hand to answer questions
  • Clean glass mirrors and bathroom surfaces with windex
  • If they are receiving/earning money concept of goal setting and saving for that goal
  • Importance of regular exercise and eating healthy

6 Years Old

  • Straighten books 
    • (on library shelves)
  • Water plants
  • Refill toilet paper rolls
  • Clean bathroom sinks
  • Fold towels and jeans 
    • (without clothes touching floor)
  • Empty complete dishwasher 
    • (glass items on top my be concerning)
  • Count change
  • Take shower on own
  • Dusting
  • Understand 911
  • Tie shoes
  • Make and answer phone calls
  • Appropriate church behavior
  • Use a public restroom
  • Weed garden and yard 
    • (distinguish weeds from flowers)

7 Years Old

  • Dust
  • Shake rugs
  • Social behaviors 
    • (blowing nose in public, biting nails, sneeze, cough or yawn in public, grizzle in food, scratching)
  • Use of social words 
    • (“Pardon me”, “I’m sorry”, “I was wrong”, “I forgive you”)
  • Put air in bike tires
  • Fold T-shirts, sweaters, odd shaped clothing, and blankets
  • Wash dishes by hand
  • Floss teeth
  • Proper media use
  • Clean toilets
  • Pull weeds
  • Wash dog or pet
  • Read with comprehension 
    • (begin reading scriptures)

8 Years Old

  • Care for pet
  • Stack wood
  • Braid hair
  • Personal scripture study/marking
  • Pick strawberries
  • Clean out garbage can
  • Wipe windowsills
  • Put out stove fire
  • Left-out item policeman
  • Cook scrambled egg in frying pan
  • Child protection against strangers
  • Trim nails
  • Do own hair
  • Clean mirrors
  • Use wheat grinder
  • Simple ironing 
    • (pillow cases, handkerchief)
  • Take phone message
  • Order at restaurant
  • Fold heavy blankets
  • Music or other personal talent
  • Team sport or exercise program
  • Danger of water with appliances
  • How to deal with and manage stress and emotional struggles

9 Years Old

  • Typing
  • Write a check
  • Use dehydrator
  • Address envelope
  • Outdoor safety rules 
    • (hiking or camping)
  • Steam vegetables
  • Write thank-you notes
  • Clean out microwave
  • Use texting, email, and instant messaging
  • Basic first aid
  • Emergency exit
  • Mop floors
  • Bake from mix
  • Change sheets on bed
  • Run own bathwater
  • Vacuum and wash car
  • Push wheelbarrow
  • Hammer nails and saw wood
  • Turn off gas and water
  • Dust pictures and blinds

10 Years Old

  • Sew on a button
  • Change diaper
  • Make baby bottle
  • Pick fruit
  • Build a campfire
  • Start BBQ
  • Clean patio furniture
  • Wait on guests
  • Use curling iron
  • Read a telephone bill and costs associated
  • Do own laundry
  • How to lander delicates, jeans (inside out and zipped up), towels, underwear, etc
  • Set personal goals
  • Musical instrument practice
  • Rent a video
  • Clean stove and oven
  • Make salads and simple dishes
  • Basic nutrition
  • Plant plants
  • Place a long-distance call
  • Creative writing
  • Wrap presents
  • How to act and not react in difficult circumstances

11 Years Old

  • Bake bread and pies
  • Make several main dishes
  • Iron shirt
  • Meal planning
  • Follow recipe
  • Make online purchase
  • Use camera
  • Learn to crochet or knit
  • First aid training
  • Babysitting training
  • Recognize warning labels, medicine labels, and basic medical vocabulary
  • Arrange for haircuts
  • Clean refrigerator
  • Use weed wacker
  • Clean and wipe down cupboards
  • Garden
  • Order on credit card
  • Straighten drawers
  • Sew hems
  • Mow lawn

12 Years Old

  • Paint room
  • Babysit
  • Mend clothing
  • Clean windows
  • Clean bathroom completely 
    • (sinks, toilets, mirrors, shower, tub, floors)
  • Use internet (filtered)
  • Proper makeup
  • Determine best price per oz
  • Read food labels
  • Read road map
  • Read bus schedule
  • Identify traffic symbols and signs
  • Remove stains
  • Shop for clothing
  • Basic fashion awareness
  • Read newspaper 
    • (determine between fact and opinion)
  • Learn about weight control habits
  • Make/keep dentist/doctor appointment
  • Keep calendar
  • Understand filing
  • Check fluids in car
  • Understand dangers of gas
  • Use gas can to fill a tank
  • Bike maintenance 
    • (change tire, tighten chain, etc.)

13 Years Old

  • Plant care 
    • (pH, fertilizer, water, sun)
  • Use an ATM
  • Understand meat handling
  • Simple budgeting-saving and spending
  • Pay household bills
  • Identify cars parts
  • Etiquette rules
  • Understand basic herbs/medicine 
    • (acetometaphine, ibuprofen, benedryl)
  • Sew simple items
  • Shop sales and bargain hunting
  • Internet consequences (Facebook)

14 Years Old

  • Open checking account
  • Use debit card
  • Basic interior decorating 
    • (matching color hues)
  • Food storage basics
  • Memorize social security number
  • Car detailing
  • Car operation
  • Change flat tire
  • Proper makeup/facial hair
  • Memorize seminary scriptures
  • Understand financial concepts 
    • (interest, debt, securities, savings)
  • How to prevent identify theft
  • Experience with sales 
    • (child business)
  • First job - income potential
  • Basic civics and politics

15 Years Old

  • Small home repair 
    • (leaky faucet, oven element)
  • Driver’s permit
  • Figure out miles/gallon
  • Landscape/garden planning
  • Sell items on internet
  • Clean garage
  • Leadership skills/service
  • Understand credit cards 
    • (debt, read through credit card agreement)
  • Dating do’s and don’ts
  • Maintain simple mechanical device
  • Care of finger nails and toe nails-including clipping to avoid hang nails and disposal
  • Proper care of feet
  • Fill the gas tank at pump

16 Years Old

  • Get driver’s license 
    • (know how to drive stick and automatic)
  • Learn about retirement plans, stocks, bonds
  • How to communicate with an auto-mechanic
  • Resume preparation
  • Read job classified
  • Interviewing skills 
  • File taxes and tax return (1099 verses W2)
  • Advertising basics
  • Career planning
  • Fill out job application 
  • Understand and shop for vehicle insurance
  • Help with more complex house repairs
  • How to unclog a drain or toilet
  • Locating a fuse box to turn off power in case of electrical fire
  • How to turn of water supply in emergency
  • How to caulk shower or fix mine pipe leak
  • How to clean dishwasher, laundry machine, stove, oven and garbage disposal
  • How to unclog gutters
  • How to reignite a pilot light
  • How to replace light bulbs, light switch plate cover and light fixtures
  • How to patch small holes
  • How to replace or repair door and window screen
  • Understand purchasing a car 
    • (financing, relative costs, things to look for)
  • Automobile Maintenance ( regular oil changes, filter changes, tire rotations, inspections and registration renewal)

Before Moving out on own or as necessary

  • Understand and Develop Self Control
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • How to start and have in depth personal conversations
  • Accept responsibility for your actions and behaviors
  • Identifying signs of metal illness
  • How to fight loneliness or being alone
  • How to deal with personal doubts or insecurities
  • Start to develop credit. ex. Get a secured Visa card from bank and show them how to use the visa for gas/personal items and pay off monthly.  
  • Scheduling a regular time to sit down evaluate finances and pay bills. (At least twice monthly)
  • How to secure good credit
  • Understand Ways to donate to charity- financially, online, physically
  • How to track work related expenses
  • If paying on loans which interest can be tax deductible
  • If on parental health insurance what is available, where to go, and when the law says you have to have your own.
  • Renting an apartment (lease agreements, conditions for return of downpayment, late payments, fees)
  • How to maintain a healthy living environment 
  • Purchasing rental insurance
  • Purchasing pet insurance if you have a pet
  • If buying home, homeowner insurance
  • Checking for a fire extinguisher, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms
  • Cleaning and organizational skills- such as vacuum regularly, cleaning bathroom and toilet regularly, changing their sheets regularly, washing dishes as they use them, taking out trash to avoid attracting pests
  • Cooking basic and healthy regular meals
  • How purchase groceries: identifying price per ounce, ingredients, and cost of branding labels
  • Managing medical and dental appointments
  • Balancing religious, work, school and social activities
  • Where to find mental health support including 1-866-903-3787 or 988
  • Regular Exercise Regimen that works with your body
  • Regular Sleep patterns needed for your body
  • How to dress for the weather
  • Meditation or other practicing relaxation techniques
For those pursuing further education:
  • Adult level reading abilities
  • Memorizing skills
  • Note taking skills
  • How to plan and calendaring
  • Test taking strategies
  • Ability to stay on task and complete projects
  • How to avoid distractions
  • Writing skills
  • Study strategies
  • Building vocabularies
  • Developing talents 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please leave your name since I love to get to know everybody!