Why are kids lacking basic life skills and independence?
Children are entering classrooms unable to handle fundamental tasks like tying shoes, peeling fruit, or managing the toilet, while older students quit challenging coursework to avoid receiving low marks. This lack of practical capability and resilience prevents them from solving basic everyday problems or persisting when academic and personal challenges arise.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Bringing clementines and peeling them for the students
- 2Remaking lesson plans and baby-proofing classrooms
- 3Trying to do more handwritten work despite poor handwriting
- 4Explaining expectations and teaching basic tasks during class time
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Most of them cannot tie their shoes or even begin to try.”source ↗
“Many kids have never had to peel fruit.”source ↗
“Many were complaining it was too hard to eat. Use your teeth y’all!”source ↗
“I've got Year 11 students dropping classes because the content is getting harder, not because they are failing, they just don't want to ever get a low mark and learn from that.”source ↗
“Can’t read a clock, can’t find information on a 4 sentence google slide, won’t read or follow directions.”source ↗
“Some of my 11th graders were unsure how many seconds are in a minute and how many minutes are in an hour.”source ↗
“Many kinders now want their bottoms wiped or are scared of the toilet flushing.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 6Why do I feel so behind when I compare my child to other kids?
- 2Special education pull-out services during core instruction time
- 2How to prepare kids for school violence and bullying
- 24Why are students coming to class missing basic foundational skills?
- 4Why don't students know how files and folders work?
- 4How to deal with coworkers who don't know basic computer skills