9 Skills All Teenagers Should Know
July 31, 2020
Important skills for teenagers
We all want what’s best for our children. It’s why we try to teach them things we think they ought to know. From social to domestic and even financial, there are many skills for teenagers that will set them up for a happy and productive life. When it comes to imparting such vital learnings, it’s tough to know what to teach.
At Abbotts College, we like to empower our students with everything they need to make a success of themselves at every stage of life. As a result, we assist both them and their parents at every stage of the educational journey. Where life skills for teenagers are concerned, our school and its educators lay a solid foundation of values and ethics. This drives the skills that they need most.
What are our top skills for teenagers? Here are the ones that we believe every child should master.
1. Budgeting and financial management:
Does your child know the value of money, understand how to follow the budget
and respect the concept of saving? What they don’t learn now will impact them far worse later.
2. Basic food preparation:
Every teenager should know how to prepare a few simple, healthy and affordable meals. This will help them stay nourished and save money in the long run.
3. How to look after their health:
Knowing what medication to take for certain ailments and when to get to a doctor is the key to helping them stay healthy. Help them put together a medicine kit and teach them how to use it.
4. The importance of social skills and manners:
Basic greetings and eye contact go a long way.
Not only will this help your child make friends, it’ll also enable them to network, land jobs and even make good first impressions.
5. Personal hygiene and grooming:
This is imperative to help them practise self-love and put their best foot forward. How to dress appropriately for every occasion is an important skill, as is bathing daily, brushing teeth and caring for nails and hair.
6. How to change a tyre:
The value of this one is only realised once your child is stuck on the side of the road with a flat. Show them and make sure they know how. It’ll help them avoid danger.
7. Key domestic tasks:
How to do laundry, how to iron and how to do a basic clean or their room or apartment. This makes them responsible for their surroundings and ensures that they can keep them clean.
8. Good work ethic:
Work is an important part of life and without it, we cannot enjoy the lives that we want. Give your child chores or encourage them to take up a part-time job so that they can appreciate the life and opportunities that work affords them.
9. Basic first aid:
Teach them what to do in an emergency and arm them with the correct numbers to call. Show them how to clean a wound, administer CPR and apply pressure to an injury.
The skills they need to succeed
Our non-traditional approach to learning fosters life skills and enables our students to achieve everything they set out to. For more on us and our schools, please click here - Our Schools
To apply for your child to join us, please visit the following link: Apply Now
If you have a general enquiry, please address it to us here: Enquire Now
Discover how small class sizes benefit students academically, emotionally and socially. Learn why class size is one of the most important factors when choosing a school
Weighing up private vs public school in South Africa? Explore the honest differences in curriculum, fees, class size and outcomes to make the best choice for your child
Our complete 2026 guide covers curricula, fees, school culture, campus visits, applications, and everything parents need to make the right choice for their child.
Wondering whether the IEB or NSC is better for your child? Our 2026 guide breaks down the key differences in curriculum, assessment, university recognition, and outcomes so you can make the right call.
Discover the essential transition skills universities don’t teach—from time management to independence. Learn how to prepare for life beyond academics and succeed in the real world.
Support teen mental health with practical strategies for students and parents in South Africa. Learn how to manage stress, recognise warning signs, and build emotional resilience.
ADvTECH SCHOOLS CLAIM TOP HONOURS IN WESSA CENTENARY AWARDS
Discover how social media intensifies academic pressure among South African teens. Learn what causes comparison anxiety and how to foster healthier digital habits.
Explore how Gen Z can develop real-life skills in an era of digital saturation. Strategies for parents, educators, and youth to balance screen time with real-world growth.
Discover how South African high school students can identify and manage academic pressure to prevent burnout. Practical tips, signs to watch for, and expert advice.
