One of the best things you can do for your children is to teach them survival skills. In today’s world, it is more important than ever for kids to know how to fend for themselves in case of an emergency. By teaching your kids some key survival skills, you’ll give them the confidence and ability to face many challenges that come their way.
Why Teach Survival Skills To Young Children?
There are a number of reasons why you should take the time to teach survival skills to your children. For one, it instills a sense of self-reliance and confidence. Knowing that they have the skills to take care of themselves in case of an emergency will give them the peace of mind to face all kinds of situations.
Another reason to teach survival skills to kids is that it can help them in an actual emergency situation. If your child ever finds themselves in a dangerous situation, having the knowledge and ability to survive can mean the difference between life and death. As parents, knowing what skills to teach the kids based on an age-appropriate approach can give us a more comfortable attitude when we have to leave them on their own.
Survival Skills to Teach Kids
Knowledge is something that takes time to develop, so no matter what age your child is, it’s time to start teaching them some core survival skills. So what are some essential survival skills that you should teach your children? Here are a few of our favorites:
Teach Kids To Use a Map and Compass
One of the first things you should do is teach your kids how to read a map and use a compass. If they ever find themselves lost, these skills will help them orient themselves and find their way back home. Most of us have grown accustomed to asking “Siri” to get us from point A to point B. Kids don’t all have cell phones, and if they do, they don’t work everywhere. I’m surprised how many young people, even young adults, who don’t know their north-south-east and west directions. It’s a little sad.
Show Them How To Find Fresh Water
In an emergency situation, water is going to be the most crucial to survival. Teach your kids how to find fresh water sources, and how to purify water if necessary. Finding Other Water Sources in an Emergency could save your child’s life.
Help Them Make a Fire
Fire is another key element of survival. Not only will it keep them warm and dry, but it can also be used to cook food and purify water. Show your kids how to build a fire from scratch, using different methods like the bow drill or the hand drill. Be sure to stock different types of fire starters like the Fire steel and scraper, and show your kids how to use them.
Some people don’t know the first thing about starting a fire even if they have matches or a lighter. There is a trick to finding kindling that burns easy and fast, and then working up to larger branches and logs. You really have to work your way up to make the fire turn out right.
Teach Your Kids How to Build a Shelter
In an emergency, having a shelter can prove crucial. Not only will it protect them from the elements, but it can also provide a sense of safety and security. Help your kids build a basic shelter using materials like sticks, leaves, and branches. You can also teach them how to make a more advanced shelter using a tarp or space blanket. If you need ideas, here are 7 Ways to Build a Survival Shelter.
Show Your Kids How To Grow a Garden
One of the best ways to help your children become self-sufficient is to teach them to grow their own food. Not only will this provide them with a source of fresh fruits and vegetables, but it will also teach your kids how to be more independent. Start small by having them plant a few herbs or vegetables in pots, and then expand from there.
Because they may not always be able to go to the store and buy plants, you will also want to teach them how to grow fruits and vegetables from seeds. With the right guidance, your kids will be well on their way to a self-sufficient garden the whole family can benefit from.
It’s so gratifying to start from a seed and see the plants mature and provide sustenance at harvest time. Gardening can truly be a fun and educational activity for the whole family.
Instruct Them on How to Identify Edible Plants
In an emergency, one of the best things you can do is find edible plants to eat. However, not everyone knows how to identify edible plants. Teach your kids how to identify common edible plants in your area, and what parts of the plant are safe to eat. You may be surprised to find that even common weeds like dandelions are edible.
They also need to learn plants to stay away from, not only because they aren’t edible, but because they could prove to be very harmful, like poison ivy. They should also learn some basic first aid treatments to help them and others if a harmful plant is made contact with them.
Teach Kids How to Fish and Hunt
If you want to teach your kids how to be truly self-sufficient, then you need to show them how to fish and hunt. These skills will not only provide them with a source of food, but will also teach them patience and discipline.
Start by teaching your kids how to set up a fishing line, and then move on to more advanced techniques like fly fishing. You can also teach them how to hunt small game like rabbits and squirrels, and fowl like ducks. If you have the opportunity, take your kids on a camping trip and let them put their new skills to the test. They also should learn about conservation and why you need a license as a means to protect wildlife.
Educate Them On How To Cook Outside
If your kids are going to be self-sufficient, then they need to know how to cook their food. Teach them how to build a campfire, and then show them how to cook different types of food over the fire. You can also teach them how to bake bread or make brownies in a solar oven.
With a little bit of instruction, your kids will be able to cook a meal outdoors like a pro.
Show Your Kids How To Treat Common Injuries
In an emergency, your kids may suffer from common injuries like cuts, scrapes, and burns. Show them how to treat these injuries using supplies from your first-aid kit. You should also teach them how to recognize more serious injuries and when to seek medical help.
Equip Your Child With Basic Self-Defense Techniques
In an emergency, your child may need to defend themselves from animals or other people. Teach them some basic self-defense techniques that they can use to protect themselves. You should also teach them when it is appropriate to use these techniques, and when it is better to run away. The decision to fight or flight has been part of the human makeup since the dawn of time. We all need to understand the consequences of both.
Teach Situational Awareness
One of the most important skills you can teach your child is situational awareness. This means being aware of their surroundings at all times, and knowing what to look for in a dangerous situation.
Teach your kids to be aware of who is around them, and what they may be planning to do. You should also teach them how to respond if someone tries to grab them or if they feel like they are in danger.
These are just a few of the skills you can teach your kids to help them become more self-sufficient. With the right training and guidance, your kids will be able to handle most emergencies that come their way.
More Survival Skills To Teach Young Children
- Critical Survival Skills You Should Practice at Home
- 10 Pioneer Skills Every 12-Year Old Needs
- 6 Guidelines For Essential Life Skills
- 30 Pioneer Skills We Cannot Lose
Final Word
In the event of an emergency, your kids must know as much as possible about how to survive on their own. By teaching them the skills listed above, you can help them be more self-sufficient and better prepared for as many situations as you feel are needed. May God Bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Girl Toddler with Compass rAdobeStock_364819706 by tgordievskaya, Children with Map AdobeStock_289932176 by Lightfield Studios, Teen in Camp AdobeStock_258777897 by Tatyana Gladskih, Father with Children In Garden AdobeStock_370614434 by Halfpoint, Father fishing with Toddler AdobeStock_258927106 by Halfpoint, Small Child Cooking Hot Dogs AdobeStock_461525568 by IIvan Kmit
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