As our kids get older, we start paying more attention to the ‘real world’ things that they are learning and try to help prepare them for life after high school graduation, so they’ll be able to survive in the real world. This brings up the question for quite a few parents: Are our schools preparing kids for life after graduation so they can survive in the real world?
Yes, some schools have introduced family life education starting in elementary school. Still, when it comes to skills such as financial literacy, critical thinking, job readiness, emotional intelligence, real-life problem-solving, and goal setting, it seems that many public schools are lacking.
Tuttle Twins recently conducted a study among parents to see if parents felt that schools were adequately preparing kids for life after graduation, and only 10% were very confident that they were. It even revealed more alarming data, such as 55% of parents feeling the need to, and using, extra learning material outside of their child’s school curriculum.
This article is going to take a look at whether schools are preparing kids for life after graduation.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.
Parental Confidence in School Preparedness
One of the most surprising takeaways from the Tuttle Twins study is how little parents believe that schools are adequately preparing kids for life outside of the classroom. 75% of parents felt that budgeting and management an important life skills for kids to learn, and 61% felt that stress management and resilience were the most important. Furthermore, 83% of those surveyed were already having money and budgeting conversations with children.
As a mom of four, I don’t feel like they are wrong. This summer, my oldest did a summer school course for financial planning, and he was in shock about how complex financial planning can be. The course was beneficial for him; however, it isn’t a part of the main school curriculum, it’s a paid course that is offered during the summer months only.
Understandably, schools do have to focus on traditional academic courses like reading, writing, and mathematics. But, it does seem like they forget about competencies that are needed to survive in the real world and spend too much time focusing on standardized testing and memorization, which isn’t going to be relevant for a lot of students after high school or college graduation.
Plus, with the job market rapidly changing due to this digital-first world we live in and AI, it is time for parents to start questioning if their kids will be leaving school with the tools that they need to live independently, think critically, and succeed in everyday, real-world scenarios.
For many families, this answer may be ‘not yet’.
Parents’ Top Life Skills Priorities
Based on the data uncovered in Tuttle Twins’ study, it appears that parents’ top life skills priorities include budgeting and money management, stress management and resilience, long-term planning and responsibility, goal setting and self-motivation, and conflict resolution.
Yes, education is important, but kids also need to know how to be ‘street smart’ in addition to being ‘book smart’ if they want to be able to live independent lives. Basics like being able to learn how to budget, manage credit, save for the future, and make informed financial decisions should be covered in school, as the moment they turn 18, creditors will be coming after them, and they need to be able to manage when living independently at college.
Then, of course, college is going to bring on quite a few complex situations where ‘mom’ or ‘dad’ may not just be a short drive away. They’re going to need to know how to communicate effectively, manage their emotions, and build strong relationships in both personal and professional settings.
Let’s not forget about how hard the job market is right now. Many entry-level jobs are being replaced or reshaped by AI, which means entrepreneurship, goal setting, and even AI training are things that they need to be educated on to give them a fighting chance in the workforce.
Parental Involvement and Reaction
Parents are going to have to get more involved and start having conversations with their kids regarding the skills that they’re going to need to survive. While money and budgeting are hot topics in many households, with 83% of parents already discussing it, not every topic is discussed organically, as it may not even cross your mind to discuss it.
This is where getting help from other resources can be beneficial. For example, you may consider taking some courses together to learn more about using AI, staying current in the current job market, or even cooking classes to introduce kids to cooking in a fun way. Checking out online courses, community programs, and even books are ways to get started.
In this day in age, we have to start seeing ourselves as co-educators instead of just passive observers of our children’s education.
Broader Implications
What schools teach now doesn’t even scratch the surface of what many parents believe is needed for them to survive in this quickly changing world. Without the right set of life skills, young adults are going to have a hard time with decision-making, adapting to an unpredictable job market, and even achieving financial stability. Those issues can then lead to bigger issues such as debt, job dissatisfaction, and difficulty achieving independence in general.
Unfortunately, not all parents have the time, resources, and knowledge to be able to provide their children with additional learning. Therefore, this unfairly puts them further behind their peers in learning these practical skills, which further widens the preparedness gap.
If the Tuttle Twins survey has taught us anything, it is that the curriculum needs to be reformed to integrate more life skills and critical thinking alongside academic subjects. Life skills are just as vital as technical knowledge, so that all students, regardless of their backgrounds, can have a level playing field for being able to navigate adulthood successfully.
Tips For Preparing Your Kids For Life After Graduation
Time moves fast, kids grow up in the blink of an eye. While we all want to cherish every moment we can, as there never seems to be enough time with them during their youth, it’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to prepare them for life after graduation.
Here are some tips for preparing your kids for life after graduation:
- Start with financial literacy early: Financial literacy can start at a young age. Whether it’s letting them help you with budgeting for groceries, getting your teen started with a bank account, or setting a family savings goal and letting them watch it become a reality, nothing is too small. For example, my daughter loves our story time, so one of her newest additions is “I Am Money”, which is a cute picture book that allows you to discuss financial literacy even with the youngest members of your family. It covers topics such as how to earn money, how to save money, and how to wisely spend money. It prompted my daughter to want to start a lemonade stand.
- Have real discussions at the dinner table: Understandably, life is busy between work, school, and after-school activities. However, open up the floor for meaningful discussions while you enjoy a home-cooked meal together. For example, every Sunday we do ‘highlight of the week’ and ‘goal for the week’ where we recap the main highlight of our week and discuss what goals we met for the week and the new ones that we’re setting for the upcoming week. When someone has an especially challenging goal that they’re looking to meet, we even formulate it into a SMART goal.
- Encourage tech and AI familiarity: Encourage your kids to use tech to their advantage ethically. For example, since our schools all use laptops for tech during their workday, I have taught my daughter to use an iPad for her education with fun apps such as Lingokids, and one of my sons has been learning to code his games with the help of AI.
- Turn everyday moments into teach moments: Whether it’s showing kids how to do routine home maintenance tasks such as changing a doorknob, or following a family recipe, the time you spend together can be both fun and a learning experience. For example, my four-year-old daughter is becoming quite the little chef – for her birthday, she cooked a pizza from scratch (assisted, of course).
- Create a learning center: Create a space in your home filled with books and other resources that your kids can take advantage of to expand their knowledge during their own time. To get started, you can take advantage of Tuttle Twins bundles and educational materials during their back-to-school sale, which can save you up to 70% off purchases until 08/13/2025. You can spark imagination and learning beyond the classroom!
Final Thoughts
Preparing kids for life after graduation requires more than just making sure they show up for school on time each day and earn good grades. They have to be equipped with life skills, a positive mindset, and confidence to be able to navigate adulthood successfully. While schools do provide them with a very important academic foundation, critical life skills such as financial literacy, emotional intelligence, and adaptability are going to need to be taught at home.
You can make your kids real-world ready and not just test-ready by providing them with everyday learning opportunities, open conversations, and supplemental resources to bridge the gap between classroom lessons and real-world demands.
