5 affordable ‘future-proof’ skills you can teach your children during holiday

School holiday is finally here, and as a Nigerian parent, the temptation to just let the kids watch TV all day is most likely going to be your first option. However, the world is changing very fast. The economy is tough, and the skills that guaranteed a good job ten years ago are no longer enough to secure your child’s future.

According to a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the future of jobs, analytical thinking, technological literacy, and creative problem-solving are among the most critical skills required for the modern workforce.

In this article, Tribune Online examines five affordable, high-value skills you can introduce to your children this holiday without breaking the bank.

Basic coding and scratch programming

Coding is simply the language used to talk to computers. Instead of paying heavy tuition, you can start your kids on free visual learning platforms like Scratch, which was built by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

To do this step-by-step, you only need a functional smartphone or an old laptop with internet access. 

Download the Scratch application or use their web browser version to let your child learn how to build simple video games and animations by dragging and dropping color blocks.

ALSO READ: 6 ways to keep children occupied during holidays

Graphic design using Canva

Every business in Nigeria today needs flyers, logos, and social media designs to survive. Teaching your child graphic design gives them a highly marketable skill that can fetch them money even before they enter the university.

You can start by downloading the free version of the Canva app on your phone or tablet. Spend thirty minutes showing your child how to replace templates, match colors, and arrange text so they can practice by making birthday cards for family members.

Financial literacy and saving culture

Knowing how to make money is good, but knowing how to manage it is what keeps people out of poverty. Many children grow up thinking money drops from heaven because they only see parents cash out from the ATM.

You can set up a physical piggy bank (popularly called Kolo) or open a high-interest kid’s automated savings account online through safe, CBN-licensed platforms like PiggyVest. Teach them to save twenty percent of any pocket money given by visiting relatives to learn patience and budgeting.

Content creation and digital storytelling

The internet is the new marketplace, and video content is the new trending thing. If your child loves talking or writing stories, you can easily channel that creative energy into learning how to script, film, and edit digital content.

Have them write a short, funny story about their day, and use a free smartphone application like CapCut to edit the video. This step helps them understand the behind-the-scenes mechanics of media production, transforming them from passive consumers into creators.

Foreign language mastery

The world is a global village, and being bilingual gives any child a massive competitive advantage. Knowing how to speak an extra international language can unlock massive scholarship and remote job opportunities for them in the future.

You can download a completely free language-learning app like Duolingo. Set a family challenge where your children spend just fifteen minutes every morning learning basic French or Spanish phrases on the platform.