The skills school skips
School is good at teaching answers to known questions. It is less good at two things children need: solving open-ended problems, and getting an early, real sense of how work and money work. This is a plain guide to building both at home, with one simple thing to do at every age.
Problem-solving
Framing an open problem, deciding within limits, and learning by doing something real.
Work and careers
Seeing how real jobs work, from meeting people who do them to work experience later on.
Money and enterprise
From recognising coins to budgeting, profit, and a first taste of running something.
How to use this
Find your child's age below and pick the one thing to do. Let your child lead and try things out, and step back from rescuing too quickly. Set any budget that suits your family, the point is the thinking, not the amount. A little and often beats a big one-off.
Age by age
The same three threads run through every age. They grow from playful and hands-on to real work experience and running a project by the sixth form.
Age 4 to 6
Reception to Year 1Curiosity and makingA short, playful challenge whenever it fits, mostly through play.Problem-solving
Simple choices with a reason, noticing how everyday things work, tidy-up and sorting systems.
Work and careers
Pretend-play jobs and meeting people in the community: the post, the shop, the doctor, the builder.
Money and enterprise
Recognising coins, that things cost money, and swapping and sharing.
Age 6 to 8
Year 2 to Year 3Everyday problemsOne small challenge a fortnight.Problem-solving
Make a simple plan, follow it, and change it when it does not work. First steps of cause and effect.
Work and careers
Interview a grown-up about their job, and a first visit to a real workplace.
Money and enterprise
Saving versus spending, pocket money, and what things really cost.
Age 8 to 11
Year 4 to Year 6Projects and enterpriseOne project a month.Problem-solving
Break a problem into steps, decide within a budget the family sets, and see a project through to the end.
Work and careers
A "day in the job" for several different jobs, and chores framed as real responsibilities.
Money and enterprise
Budgeting, needs versus wants, and working out the profit on a small stall.
Age 11 to 14
Year 7 to Year 9Real briefs and financeA real project each term.Problem-solving
Take on an open-ended brief, work in a team, and present a solution to a real audience.
Work and careers
Workplace visits, shadowing a family friend for a day, and a first informational interview.
Money and enterprise
Personal budgeting, and a plain-English look at how earning and tax work.
Age 14 to 16
Year 10 to Year 11Work experience and communicationOne placement or venture across the year, plus ongoing challenges.Problem-solving
Manage a multi-step project, handle setbacks, and communicate progress clearly.
Work and careers
Formal work experience, volunteering, and a first CV.
Money and enterprise
Opening a bank account, reading a payslip, and budgeting for real.
Age 16 to 18
Year 12 to Year 13LaunchpadOngoing, driven by placements, applications and a lead project.Problem-solving
Real-world judgement, initiative, and negotiation on things that matter.
Work and careers
Internships, the apprenticeship-versus-university decision, interviews, and networking.
Money and enterprise
Tax, student finance, and budgeting independently.
Want it planned for your child?
This guide is free, and always will be. When you want more, our bespoke tutorials turn these skills into guided projects matched to your child's age and interests, using the same method a good tutor would.
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You know your child best, and we write for real families. Tell us what would help most: a topic, a worry, an age group or an exam, and we'll cover it.