children with special needs | K I D S I N CO.com

Generation Alpha, or children who were born in 2010 and later, were shaped in the era of portable devices. As these kids rely more on apps and their gadgets to gain information, learning life skills such as cooking and basic money management appear to be less of a priority for this tech-savvy generation. While 65 percent of Generation Alpha is currently receiving training in robotics, social media management, and app developmentto prepare for their future jobs at school, learning basic skills can also help them succeed in their chosen path. Children with special needs will also benefit from learning these practical skills, as it will strengthen their communication and motor skills, and aid their overall development as they grow. From getting their foot in the door to developing good working relations with their colleagues, here are the essential skills that your child should learn to achieve career success.

Writing a resume

The first step in every job hunt involves creating a clean and concise resume, and this piece of paper can be the most effective tool for marketing oneself. You’ll know that your child will be interested in learning this skill once they start thinking about getting an after school job, so prepare your child for success by letting them know the fundamentals of resume writing at an early age. You can start by advising them to choose clean and professional formats and templates, teaching them how to write a personal statement, and listing down special skills and achievements that would be relevant to the job that they’re applying for. Proofread the document and give constructive criticism whenever it’s needed, and don’t forget to acknowledge the effort that they put into creating their resume.

Active listening skills

Most parents of Gen Alpha kids know that it can be difficult to gain their little one’s attention once they start playing games on their smartphone or tablet computer. Having a conversation is also next to impossible as a child may respond to your question or give a reaction to your stories just to let you know that they’re physically there with you in the room. In the real world, having active listening skills is essential to success as being a good listener is a valuable trait in a worker or a boss. There is a difference between actively listening to someone and just hearing them, so to teach your child how to be in the moment, encourage them to leave their gadget in another room during meal times or during family bonding time. Having no distractions around can help them hone their active listening skills so they can gain a positive reaction from their family, friends, and future coworkers. Moreover, this skill will help them communicate better and have good working relations with their peers.

Problem solving skills

All types of work involve some form of problem solving, and whether your child becomes an engineer, a chef, or an office manager, it’s guaranteed that there will be days when their problem solving skills will be tested. To help them develop this skill, don’t jump in to help them with tasks– observe how they approach a certain problem first, then only offer help or suggestions if they’re truly stuck. For instance, they may have a problem keeping their closet organized. While you may have a preferred way of accomplishing this, you need to allow them to create their own system first so they can find out what works and what doesn’t when keeping their closet neat and clean.

Meanwhile, for children with special or additional needs, it’s important toinvolve them first in your daily routine so they’ll know what to do once they’re asked to do a certain chore. You can let your child clean alongside you while you’re tidying their bedroom, then after a few weeks of doing so, try letting them do it on their own and see if they can put their problem solving skills to work. Allowing your child to come up with a solution on their own will help them become a proactive worker in the future.

Your child has the potential to become successful in whatever path they choose to take. Teach your little one these essential skills, and see how these skills will shape them to become the best in their chosen field.