Survival Kids

After addressing preparedness skills for adults in the previous post, thought it fun to share some ideas on kids too.

Children are great subjects to begin training in survival skills as they are usually highly motivated due to the hands-on nature of this type of learning (most kids thrive kinesthetically).  They are also blank canvases without ingrained fears of self-doubt that may talk them out of trying.

In the event of a real crisis, children have to be integral parts of the working family.  So, if your childs best skill is video gaming, then it's probably time to broaden their horizons and help them with practical skills that will benefit YOU and them as they become self-sufficient adults.

First, get them reading! If your children are of reading age a neat little book by Usborne (above) is a fun way to learn basic survival skills.  It's interesting for adults too!  My kids went out and built the tee-pee after reading the part on shelter.  My son loves weapons from guns, bows to swords and loves military training books from the library.  My daughter loves wild food identification.  Most of the time children need only the exposure to begin developing a keen interest in various aspects of survival.  It's not a morbid subject if you make it fun and incorporate the ideas matter-of-fact.  It's no different than the tornado and bomb drills practiced by schools.

For most people in general there's little concept regarding living without power or food.  Our power goes out here in the country from time-to-time so living powerless is regularly in our minds.  However, we always know that it will eventually be on.  Whew!  However, these trial runs are good practice if there's no power for long durations.

Also, how about food variety?  Most of us...especially kids can be picky.  Leftovers are horribly revolting to some, so what if you have to eat beans every day?  Mentally preparing children as well as practicing mundane meals from time-to-time go a long way  in helping survival shock.

Even if there is never a true crisis, an opportunity to learn new skills with your children is always rewarding.