Kiwi kids may master the use of cell phones and high-tech gadgets, but don’t ask them to make their bed, breakfast or lunch. According to the latest Sanitarium Weet-Bix Better Brekkie survey, NZ children are far too dependent on their parents and lack in basic life skills.
The study found eight (78 percent) in ten children aged 5-7 could operate a cell phone, but less than a third (29 percent) of the same age group could make their own lunch.
Interestingly enough, 99 percent of parents surveyed agreed that being able to make your own meals is an important life skill that we all need to be taught.
“Children these days are so invested in social media and the advances in technology, they’ve forgotten how to do the simple things,” said leading NZ psychologist Sara Chatwin. “Similarly parents have forgotten to teach them. By allowing children to take part and get involved with the simple things like cooking, do some chores and preparing small meals, you’re ensuring that your children have some of the basic skills.”
