Teenage Life Skills Checklist PDF

Raising a teenager can be difficult, and it’s important to equip them with the skills they need to succeed in life. This teenage life skills checklist can help you do just that. It includes everything from basic life skills, like how to do laundry and make a meal, to more advanced concepts, like how to manage money and stay safe online. By helping your teenager use this teenage life skills checklist PDF, you’ll give them the confidence they need to take on the world!

15 TEENAGE LIFE SKILLS CHECKLIST PDF TO PRINT

You can access a printable version of this checklist at the bottom of the blog post.

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MONEY MANAGEMENT

Money management includes skills like setting up a budget, tracking spending, and understanding credit. Here are some examples:

• Opening a bank account.
• Creating a budget.
• Tracking spending.
• Paying bills on time.
• Saving money.
• Understanding credit and credit scores.

TIME MANAGEMENT

Time management is the ability to learn how to use your time wisely. Some examples for teenagers of good time management is:

• Making a daily or weekly schedule.
• Setting goals.
• Prioritizing tasks.
• Staying organized.
• Avoiding procrastination.

RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION

Respectful communication involves being able to effectively communicate with others, whether it’s through writing, speaking, or listening. Some examples of respectful communication skills are:

• Listening.
• Asking questions.
• Using “I” statements.
• Avoid making assumptions.
• Being open-minded.
• Staying calm in difficult conversations.

Read more about how you can help with positive parenting strategies for the teenage years here.

ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS FOR TEENAGERS

Organizational skills are important for keeping track of belongings, papers, and appointments. Good organizational skills can help teenagers in school and in their future careers.

Some examples of good organizational skills are:

• Using a planner.
• Making to-do lists.
• Keeping track of important papers.
• Filing paperwork.
• Cleaning and organizing living spaces.

CAREER EXPLORATION

Career exploration is the process of learning about different occupations and choosing a career path.

Some things that teenagers can do to explore careers are:

• Researching different careers.
• Attending job fairs.
• Shadowing someone in a desired career.
• Writing a resume.
• Filling out a job application.
• Taking career aptitude tests.
• Volunteering in the desired field.

EDUCATIONAL PLANNING

Whether planning on trade school or college, educational planning is a critical skill. Examples of these skills are:

• Researching colleges or trade schools.
• Applying to colleges or trade schools.
• Taking standardized tests, like the SAT or ACT.
• Filling out the FAFSA form for financial aid.
• Scholarship and grant research.

TEENAGE LIFE SKILLS CHECKLIST – EMERGENCY SKILLS

Knowing what to do in an emergency is a very important life skills. Important teenage life skills may include the following:

• First aid
• Identifying warning signs of abuse or neglect.
• CPR
• Using the 911 system.

NAVIGATING TECHNOLOGY

Most teenagers are pretty savvy when it comes to social media. Keep in mind they do need reminders to use technology safely such as:

• Being aware of cyberbullying.
• Using social media safely.
• Not sharing personal information online.
• Keep passwords private.
• Make sure to only download apps from trusted sources.
• Backup up important files.

SELF-ADVOCACY

Self-advocacy is the ability to speak up for yourself. These skills can be done by:

• Making decisions for yourself.
• Asking for help when needed.
• Setting boundaries with friends and family.
• Standing up for yourself.
• Expressing your feelings in a healthy way.

COPING

Learning how to deal with stress, anxiety, and other difficult emotions in healthy ways are important coping skills along with:

• Recognize when you need help.
• Asking for help when needed.
• Identifying your support system.
• Practicing stress management techniques like deep breathing or meditation and more!

Read more on coping skills for teens.

DECISION MAKING – TEENAGE LIFE SKILLS CHECKLIST

Being able to weigh the pros and cons of a situation and make a well-informed decision is an important life skill for teenagers. Some examples of decision-making skills are:

• Identifying your goals.
• Gathering information.
• Weighing the pros and cons.
• Making a plan.
• Evaluating the results.

SELF-CARE

Taking care of oneself emotionally and physically, including developing healthy coping mechanisms and seeking professional help when needed. Examples of self-care for teenagers are:

• Eating a healthy diet.
• Exercising regularly.
• Getting enough sleep.
• Practicing relaxation techniques.
• Spending time with supportive people.
• Identifying red flags and warning signs that indicate when professional help is needed.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND FRIENDSHIPS

Teenagers find making friends very important. They work on developing strong social skills, and learning how to resolve conflicts. Interpersonal and friendship skills for teenagers are:

• Communication skills.
• Listening skills.
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Empathy.
• Respect.
• Dealing with peer pressure.

EMOTIONAL SKILLS

Managing emotions is a challenge for many teenagers. Emotional skills to master are:

• Displaying appropriate emotional responses to different situations.
• Identifying and expressing emotions in healthy ways.
• Dealing with stress and anxiety in healthy ways.
• Maintaining positive self-esteem.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

Eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and understanding the importance of mental health are wonderful life long skills to teach to teenagers.

HOME LIFE AND MAINTENANCE

As adults, maintaining your home life and housing requires the ability to recognize issues. Life skills to teach to teenagers about home life includes:

• Doing laundry.
• Lawn care.
• Cleaning and decluttering your living space.
• Cooking
• Grocery shopping
• Recognize dangers at home.
• Understand when home maintenance or repairs are required for things like the furnace, air conditioners, roof, etc.

PERSONAL HYGIENE

Personal hygiene is important for teenagers to maintain for their health and well-being. Personal hygiene skills to teach to teenagers are:

• Brushing and flossing teeth.
• Washing hands.
• Showering regularly.
• Using deodorant/antiperspirant.
• Maintaining healthy skin and nails.

CONCLUSION ON THE TEENAGE LIFE SKILLS CHECKLIST

Learning life skills is essential for teenagers. These skills will help them now and in the future as they become adults. The life skills for teenagers checklist can be used as a guide to ensure that your teenager is developing the skills they need to be successful.

Read more about 15 Valuable Life Skills to Teach Teens.

Read more about Daily Life Skills – Goals and Objectives

Read more here.