It’s clear that we depend on our phones for many practical things, like the calendar, GPS… not to mention all these answers available with just one click. For many teenagers too, smartphones have become an essential communication tool.
Although they are very useful if used in moderation, they can prevent children from learning important skills that were once taken for granted. Here are some illustrations, and suggested solutions so that your child knows how to get by in life even without their cell phone.
1MEMORIZE PHONE NUMBERSShutterstockSix things a child should know how to do before having a smartphone 8
When you were young, you knew at least ten phone numbers by heart. Today, you may not even know your spouse’s number. Make sure your child memorizes some essential numbers in case they need to contact you. It is also a good exercise for the brain.Six things a child should know how to do before having a smartphone 9
2READ A MAPStockSnap | PixabaySix things a child should know how to do before having a smartphone 10
Your GPS is very useful, but it prevents you from learning how to read a map. Not only is this a useful skill for your child if they ever find themselves in the middle of nowhere with no network, but the art of folding a paper map into a perfect rectangle should not be underestimated.Six things a child should know how to do before having a smartphone 11
3TO WRITE LETTERSShutterstockSix things a child should know how to do before having a smartphone 12
It’s so easy to send a quick text or email, but there’s something very human about writing and receiving a handwritten letter. Whether it’s a short thank you note or a long letter to a grandparent, the effort is deeply appreciated by the recipient.Six things a child should know how to do before having a smartphone 13
4KNOW HOW TO ASK FOR HELPShutterstockSix things a child should know how to do before having a smartphone 14
The great thing about smartphones is that you have the answers to everything at your fingertips. But what if your child is on the go, has lost their phone and needs to contact you or find their way? There is an art to being able to ask for help in a polite manner and to show gratitude to those who came to our aid.
5TALK TO REAL FRIENDSMonkey Business Images / ShutterstockSix things a child should know how to do before having a smartphone 15
As kids become more attached to their phones, they often spend more time messaging each other than talking face to face. Children should be encouraged to engage in conversation and show genuine interest in the people they are chatting with. This can start at home by ensuring that phones are banned at the dinner table.Six things a child should know how to do before having a smartphone 16
6TAKE A PHOTO THOUGHTFULLYShutterstockSix things a child should know how to do before having a smartphone 17
The great thing about smartphones is the ease with which you can take hundreds of photos, even if they too often stay on the phone and not in a frame. If your child learns how to take a good photo with a camera, they will spend more time enjoying the image they want to capture: whether it’s a beautiful landscape, a pet, or a a friend, the end result will seem warmer to him.Six things a child should know how to do before having a smartphone 18
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