Topics to Teach My Kids

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JerryBob

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What I remember most about my father are the things that he taught me (e.g. how to tie knots, etc). I also like to teach my 12 year old twins things. I am proud that that they're one grade ahead in reading proficiency, which I'd like to think is due partly to my efforts.

I remember a few years ago being in a sticky situation on a Colorado mountain, and worried about losing my ice axe. I tied it to the crook of my arm using a bowline knot. I thanked my then recently departed father at that moment.

Lately, I've been showing them youtube videos on how internal combustion engines work. We also spent half a day learning the intricacies of iOS-8.

Watching them absorb it really gets me pumped up. Maybe they didn't get all the nuances about VVT engines, but they know the purpose of pistons and piston rings.

We also watched a really funky video from 1936 about engine cooling systems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyqzF3eq09o

Anyway, I am looking for more topic ideas on things to teach them. I have considered some computer programming skills (e.g. loops that print an incrementing number, etc).

Can someone think of additional topics to teach them? Soft skill ideas are welcome.

Thanks very much.
 
I'd recommend teaching your kids how to think. Once they know how to think for themselves, anything else will just come naturally.

All they will be taught in school is how to take standardized tests.
 
Teach them how to write computer code. Seriously. It would be a good project for you and your kids. Pick a language (Javascript, Python, C++, heck, even PHP/SQL. It's something that will really benefit them in the future, and could be good for you as well. A great brain exercise.
 
I am a Java programmer by profession. I was thinking of JavaScript, PHP, or Python, too - just a simple for loop.

Maybe a simple relational database one-to-many example, too.
 
Critical thinking skills, vocabulary, and ability to correctly compose written English (not like we do on forums!).

Anything YOU teach them will benefit them in life. I was taught everything possible from my grandfather. The important lessons like thinking before you act, never give up, nothing is more important than family, and no level of education is ENOUGH. Read, read, and read more.

He was a machinist, and he failed miserably at teaching me the metric system!! I think that killed him inside. He taught me self reliance. That was a big one.

OP mentioned ice ace in CO. I cant state with full belief, my solo winter mountaineering trips in the Whites, VT, ADK's taught me about the importance of planning, perseverance, striving for a goal, and pushing the mind and body to achieve it.
 
I agree teach them anything. my daughter is 2 so I teach her basic stuff like some words and get her shape puzzles and what not. I can't wait to teach her more advanced stuff but I think you should teach them everything you know. That's my plan.
 
Nice topic.

Teach them it is o.k. not to strive for "best" on every endeavor.

Teach them it is o.k. to fail. It's a learning process.

Teach them not to be judgmental of others.

Teach them basic morality and integrity. An example and just one of many simple life lessons from my parents: Taking a "few" corn stalks from the farmer's 500 acre field (Halloween) is stealing and taking away from his lively hood.

Teach them money management, but that accumulation of material things and wealth is not the end-all metric defining success.

Somehow, give them confidence not to cave-in to peer pressure at every stage of life.
 
Originally Posted By: BISCUT

OP mentioned ice ace in CO. I cant state with full belief, my solo winter mountaineering trips in the Whites, VT, ADK's taught me about the importance of planning, perseverance, striving for a goal, and pushing the mind and body to achieve it.


We made a trip out to CO last summer. Pushed my kids to climb their first 14-er (Handies Peak). I was super proud that they persevered all the way up.

We also met someone on the trail who warned us about a moose up ahead with a calf, and how protective they were with their young, especially with us having a leashed dog. He told us to just give it a wide berth and we'd be fine. My kids were spooked, but they overcame their fear about it, after coaxing from me. We passed it from a distance of 1000 yards without incident.
 
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Originally Posted By: JerryBob
I am a Java programmer by profession. I was thinking of JavaScript, PHP, or Python, too - just a simple for loop.

Maybe a simple relational database one-to-many example, too.


Is Basic still around? REXX?
 
I agree in teaching them how to think, the best way to think is trough science, so teach them science. A few books that I recommend are: The Believing Brain by Michael Shermer, A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence Krauss and of course The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins.
 
I'm sure that they already know this... but make sure that they know to respect the police.

Just make sure that they understand that if they feel that they are being wrongly accused of anything, that there is a process to take care of that.
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
I am a Java programmer by profession. I was thinking of JavaScript, PHP, or Python, too - just a simple for loop.

Maybe a simple relational database one-to-many example, too.


Is Basic still around? REXX?


I use Linux almost exclusively. I think my kids would think it was cooler to spout off PHP or Pythonesque terminology, rather than Basic.
smile.gif


Or am I projecting???
 
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I've got my 5- and 7- year olds making stuff out of Lego Technics with all the gears and stuff. They think it's pretty sweet. They also got a snap-together electrical project set "snap circuits" that's very well thought out.

And the neighbor kids come up and teach them how to shoot dart guns, so, there's that.
lol.gif
 
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Nice topic.

Teach them it is o.k. not to strive for "best" on every endeavor.

Teach them it is o.k. to fail. It's a learning process.

Teach them not to be judgmental of others.

Teach them basic morality and integrity. An example and just one of many simple life lessons from my parents: Taking a "few" corn stalks from the farmer's 500 acre field (Halloween) is stealing and taking away from his lively hood.

Teach them money management, but that accumulation of material things and wealth is not the end-all metric defining success.

Somehow, give them confidence not to cave-in to peer pressure at every stage of life.


I was quite moved by this.

The only thing I could add is to teach them some work ethic. I may only be 21 but when I look around at people my age I am disgusted. I was raised by my grandparents so the values instilled in me by them are far different than the one's my peers have. I feel extremely fortunate to have been raised by an older generation. I am a manager on my college campus at a dining location and I work every single day with 18, 19, 20 year olds and the laziness and self-righteousness they exude is enough to make Jesus [censored] drop the F-bomb. My kids will be raised much differently than most of their time and while they may not like me for it in the present I know that in time they will come to appreciate and understand why I did things the way I did.
 
Originally Posted By: Throt
Oh and of course teach them all about oil! Start with acronyms like BITOG, OCI, M1 etc.
laugh.gif




Of course! I've already showed them a cut-open Mobil 1 filter. They're too young an innocent for an OCOD.
 
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
Originally Posted By: Throt
Oh and of course teach them all about oil! Start with acronyms like BITOG, OCI, M1 etc.
laugh.gif


Of course! I've already showed them a cut-open Mobil 1 filter. They're too young an innocent for an OCOD.


crackmeup2.gif
 
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I agree strongly with teaching them to think critically, and ethics/morality.
Also, teach them any/every skill you have, be it joinery, plumbing, electrician, mechanic, anything they could fall back on as a trade that will always be required if e economy tanks..
And teach them the piano. And English with correct spelling, punctuation and grammar.
 
Teach them manners first.

Courtesy and politeness will distinguish them from others when nothing else is known about them.
 
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