Last week we talked about ways that older adults can help their grandkids with their education. What I talked about last week was very focused on small children, which is fine because we can make a big impact on small children when they’re learning. However, that does not mean that we can’t help out older grandchildren. This post is going to be aimed at people with high school aged grandchildren.
Organize a Job Shadow
If you know someone who works in a field that your teen is interested in, consider asking if they would be comfortable letting them shadow for a few hours. This will depend on the field that they are interested in, it may not be possible. However, it’s something that maybe could help them figure out what they want to do with their lives.
Be Their Audience
If your teen has any big projects or performances, be their stand-in audience so they can practice. This can be super important for teens who may deal with the very common fear of public speaking. Practicing by yourself is way different than giving a presentation in front of a whole class.
Take them on “Field Trips”
If they are studying something and there’s a relevant event or museum in your area, take them there! The Speed Art Museum is a great place for this, but you can use anything for this. You can take them to World Fest, or a local language speaking immersion club. This is a way to apply what they’re learning to something in the real world, and it’s a memory they’ll have forever.
Written by Brigid Coffey
