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in Mom Solutions

7 Life Skills Your Child Needs to Succeed


lifeskills-1.jpg

When we were growing up, our parents encouraged us to study hard, earn good grades, and get into good schools. At the time, it was generally believed that a good education was virtually a passport to a successful professional life.
But the times, they are a-changing. As the world grows ever smaller through advances in communication, transportation, and technology, the job market has become ever more competitive with students now being groomed to become global citizens. Indeed, a number of child education experts say that it would take more than a good education for a child to succeed later on in life.

In her talk at Mommy Mundo’s Preschool Fair 2016, Teacher Beni Ancheta-Veloso, co-owner of Explorations Preschool, says that there are seven essential life skills which children must learn and develop in order to thrive in the new century. Teacher Beni refers to those outlined by child education expert Ellen Galinsky in her groundbreaking book, Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs.

These skills will prepare children to thrive amidst the pressures of modern life, enabling them to focus on their goals and achieve their full potential as adults. What’s good about these skills, Teacher Beni says, is that you need not enroll your child in an expensive program or purchase costly materials in order to learn them. In fact, some parents may already be doing the activities suggested in the book. It’s just a matter of parents being more mindful of their objectives when engaging their children in specific activities.

These are the seven life skills which your child needs to succeed:

Schoolgirl researching online with the guidance of her teacher

Life Skill #1: The ability to focus
The modern world is filled with many distractions. A child must know how to efficiently and effectively focus on the task at hand in order to achieve short-term and long-term goals. In order to focus, a child needs to pay attention, remember the rules, think flexibly, and exercise self-control.

Get your child to focus by…
… letting him play games that require attention
… encouraging him to play pretend and make pretend stories
… reading books
… encouraging him to play games with rules that have to be remembered
… asking him to take on little projects like an ice candy stand
… encouraging him to save up for a book or a game

Life Skill #2: The ability to take perspective
More than figuring out what others think and feel, the ability to take perspective enables a cild to understand the intentions and motivations of others.

Get your child to gain perspective by…
… teaching him appraisal skills
… talking about feelings: yours and his
… letting him feel known and understood
… repeating back your child’s words or what you think your child is trying to communicate
.. asking a question about a book he read or a movie he watched

Life Skill #3: The ability to communicate
This is one skill that teacher and employers feel are most lacking today. The ability to communicate through reading, writing, and speaking goes beyond asking the who, what, where, and why questions. It’s also about determining what needs to be communicated to others, and be communicated effectively.

Get your child to communicate by…
… creating an environment at home where words, reading, and listening are important
… encouraging spontaneous conversations
… encouraging your child to write his thoughts or keep a journal
… giving your child access to different forms of media

Life Skill #4: The ability to make connections
Connecting seemingly opposing concepts is at the core of creativity—and a person who can make these connections, who can see something new and daring out of the conventional, is more likely to succeed.

Get your child to make connections by…
… letting him play sorting games
… offering him different types of materials to work with
… offering games that involve finding his way in spaces
… giving him puzzles to solve
… encouraging him to read mystery novels

Thoughtful girl reading a book and using her imagination

Life Skill #5: The ability to think critically
The deluge of information calls for a mind that is able to think critically, to filter fact from faction, to distinguish between valid conclusions and hasty generalizations, and to differentiate between cause and effect.

Get your child to think critically by…
… providing a variety of experiences: places, people, textures, books, sounds, objects
… encouraging exploration
… conducting experiments
… encouraging him to ask questions

Life Skill #6: The ability to take on challenges
A child who doesn’t shy away from challenges and who can effectively manage stress will do better in school and in life.

Get your child to take on challenges by…
… focusing on a child’s attitude, effort, and problem-solving skills when giving compliments
… helping him evaluate himself
… praising his efforts, not his talents
… cultivating in him a growth mindset
… teaching him how to manage, cope, and rebound from stress

Life Skill #7: The ability to learn from decisions and experiences
A child who sees the value of learning from what he has seen, read, and experienced would be better off in the world than one who just takes everything in stride without doing some introspective thinking or making future plans.

Get your child to do self-directed, engaged learning by…
… helping him develop and work toward his goals
… supporting exploration and questioning
… encouraging appreciation and discovery of the environment and how things work
… refraining from telling him what to think, but instead teaching him how to think

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We asked our mom community: “What’s something We asked our mom community: “What’s something you love to eat or drink that instantly makes you feel recharged?” 💬

Coffee came out on top (no surprise there! ☕), but moms also shared comfort in warm sinigang, crispy Potato Corner fries, and more tasty favorites that lift their spirits.

Because food isn’t just fuel for the body — it’s nourishment for the soul and a little boost for our mental health, too. ☺️

What’s yours? Share it below and let’s swap feel-good favorites! ⬇️

#MommyMundo #MomCommunity #mompowerment
Are you free this August 3? We’re not — becaus Are you free this August 3? We’re not — because we’ll be at the Mommy Milkshake Run 2025! 🤭🏃🏻‍♀️

Happening at Parklinks, Quezon City, this beloved family fun run celebrates World Breastfeeding Week with a whole morning of movement, bonding, and joyful advocacy. With 1K, 3K, and 5K distances, there’s a spot for every kind of runner — moms (strollers welcome!), dads, kids, titas, even lolos, lolas, and even pets! 🤗

And it doesn’t stop at the finish line — stick around for the post-run festival: Mama Market, booths, live music, yummy eats, and cozy corners for babies and breastfeeding moms. 🤱🏻

Register and purchase your kits now at mommymundo.com/mommymilkshake2025 — slots are limited! 

#MommyMilkshakeRun #MommyMundo #MomPowerment #BreastfeedingWeek #FamilyRun #MomCommunity
You can’t pour from an empty cup, mama. ☕️ You can’t pour from an empty cup, mama. ☕️

That’s why we’re here to remind you—you matter too.

Your rest, your joy, your nourishment. It all counts.

Here are 6 simple ways to fill your mom cup:

✨ Enjoy quiet time alone – Even just 5 minutes can bring calm
✨ Move your body – A little stretch goes a long way
✨ Eat something nourishing – You deserve food that fuels you
✨ Talk to another mom – You’re not alone in this journey
✨ Do one thing for you – No guilt, just a little joy
✨ Ask for help – Because it’s okay to lean on others

At Mommy Mundo, we want you to feel supported through every stage of motherhood with our events, programs, and a safe space where you can simply be you.

Join our Mommy Mundo Moms Facebook community and connect with moms who truly get it. 💖 Link in bio — see you there! 

#MommyMundo #MommyMundoMoms #NourishTheMama #NourishWithLove #mompowerment #momcommunity
You’ve probably heard “eat healthy while nursi You’ve probably heard “eat healthy while nursing” a hundred times—but what does that actually mean (besides eating with one hand while holding a baby)? 😅

We’re sharing not-so-common but helpful tips that not only support your milk supply but can also help your baby develop a taste for nutritious foods early on. 🤱🏻

This #NutritionMonth, we’re shining a light on ways to #NourishTheMama — because when moms are cared for, everyone thrives. ✨

Let’s continue to #NourishWithLove this July. Read more on the blog — link in our story! 👋🏻

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“Sleep when the baby sleeps,” they said… 💤

But what if the baby only naps in 15-minute bursts and thinks 3AM is playtime? 😩

If your baby’s sleep feels all over the place, don’t worry—you’re not alone.

Join our next ALPHA Mom class with Ria Campos-Lopez, Certified Sleep Consultant & Child Behavior Specialist, and learn baby sleep tips that would help you navigate the newborn stage easier. 💖

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….and so much more! 

Sign up now at mommymundo.com/alphamom for only ₱999/year! 💌 Link in bio! 

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Throwback to Mommy Milkshake Run 2016! 🏃🏻‍ Throwback to Mommy Milkshake Run 2016! 🏃🏻‍♀️💖 

We’re bringing back the fun and joy, another opportunity to run with our babies and tots, in strollers or side by side, run with family and friends!

Join us on August 3, Sunday at Parklinks, QC for the Mommy Milkshake Run 2025!

Started in 2007 to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, this fun run is all about family bonding, movement, and our shared advocacy for breastfeeding. 🤱🏻✨

✨ Choose your distance: 
1K, 3K, or 5K
✨ Strollers welcome!
✨ Lolos, lolas, titas, titos, pets —everyone’s invited!

And after the run?
Enjoy the Mama Market, live music, yummy eats, interactive booths, and breastfeeding-friendly spaces for moms and babies. 

Register and purchase your kits now — slots are limited! ➡️ mommymundo.com/mommymilkshake2025

Tag your running buddy below! 🏃🏻‍♀️ Let’s make new memories together — because when a breastfeeding mom runs… milk shakes! 😆

#MommyMilkshakeRun #MommyMundo #FamilyRunFun #MomPowerment
This July, we’re celebrating Nutrition Month wit This July, we’re celebrating Nutrition Month with a campaign called #NourishwithLove 💖

It’s all about helping moms care for themselves and their families through simple, everyday nourishment—mind, body, and heart.

Follow along each week as we share real tips, stories, and reminders that moms deserve to be nourished, too. 💬✨

We’re starting off with this list of mom-approved snacks that are perfect for walks, runs, or just super busy days. Whether you’re chasing toddlers or training for the Mommy Milkshake Run 😉 these quick bites will keep you going. 💪🏻

From saging na saba to overnight oats, a few smart choices can go a long way in helping you feel recharged (without the guilt). ✨

Save this post for busy days and if you want to swap ideas or ask questions, join our Mommy Mundo Facebook group! 💬

It’s a safe, supportive space for moms to share, learn, and nourish together. 🤗 Link in bio! 

#MommyMundo #MMNourishWithLove #NutritionMonth #mompowerment
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