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Why should we be teaching Life Skills in Schools in 2023?
Today’s world is a world full of complexities and challenges. Owing to the rapid technological transformation and changes in global economy in the recent years, our education, workplace and personal lives are considerably impacted. To cope with this fast pacing world and its unprecedented changes, students need newer life skills to cope with all the stress, pressure and uncertainities in their upcoming professional phases.
More and more schools today aim at boosting the holistic development of children. But often there is a big gap between the skills students acquire in the classroom and the demands placed on the outside of the classroom. Students, very often, find themselves not adequately ready to face the real life challenges. And that is precisely why modern schools are changing their outlook from an academics-based education to a more holistic, life-based learning. By life-based learning, we mean a learning that stresses on developing skill sets that are just as important as academics. Life skills are what bridges the long-standing gap between education and real life.
So, what are Life Skills?
Life skills are a set of abilities and attributes that enable individuals to effectively navigate their environment, interact with others, and manage their own lives. They include a wide range of abilities such as:
- 1. Problem solving and decision making
- 2. Time management and organization
- 3. Communication and negotiation
- 4. Budgeting and money management
- 5. Interpersonal relationships
- 6. Stress management and emotional intelligence
- 7. Critical thinking and creativity
- 8. Self-care and hygiene
- 9. Cooking and nutrition
- 10. Home management
- 11. Self-motivation and goal setting
- 12. Career management
Teaching life skills in schools can help prepare students for success in the real world by equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to manage various aspects of their lives, such as finances, relationships, health, communication and time management. Important life skills, such as financial literacy, time management, and problem-solving, are extremely essential for individuals to navigate and succeed in the modern world. Teaching these skills in schools can help students develop the abilities they need to make informed decisions, set and achieve goals, and manage their personal and professional lives effectively. Additionally, providing students with life skills education can help them to become more self-sufficient, self-aware and resilient and better prepared for the future.
In the last few years, the renowned international schools have been focusing more on life skill development of children right from their early years.
Why is development of life skills considered important for children in their early years?
Building life skills in children during their early years is important because it lays the foundation for future success and well-being. Some reasons why building life skills in children in early years is important include:
- Early childhood is a critical period for brain development. Developing life skills during this time can help children build the cognitive, emotional, and social skills they need to thrive.
- Children who develop strong life skills in early childhood are more likely to succeed in school and later in life. For example, children who learn to manage their emotions and work well with others are more likely to be successful in both academic and social settings.
- Building life skills in early childhood can help children become more independent and self-reliant. This can lead to greater success and fulfillment in life.
- Early childhood is a time when children are forming their identities and learning what they are capable of. Developing life skills during this time can help children build confidence and a sense of self-efficacy.
- Building life skills in early childhood can also help children learn to cope with stress and adversity, which can be beneficial throughout their lives.
- Teaching life skills in early childhood can also help to bridge the gap between what is traditionally taught in school and the real-world application of that knowledge, preparing children to face the world and adapt to different situations.
Therefore, it is worth noting that building life skills is a continuous process and it’s never too early or too late to start, but early childhood is a particularly important time for setting children on the path to success.
So, how do schools aid to build these life skills?
Modern schools, specially the top international schools can build the life skills of students in a variety of ways, depending on the school’s resources, priorities, and curriculum. Some of the activities that such schools include, are:
- Incorporate life skills education into existing classes: For example, teaching budgeting and money management in a math class, or teaching time management and organization in a language arts class.
- Offer elective classes or programs specifically focused on life skills: For example, a class on personal finance, career planning, or home management.
- Incorporate real-life projects and experiences: For example, having students work on a project that requires them to collaborate with classmates, set goals, and manage their time effectively.
- Incorporate community service and volunteer opportunities: For example, having students volunteer at a local non-profit organization, which can help them develop skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
- Incorporate mentorship and coaching: For example, having older students mentor younger students or having teachers provide individualized coaching to help students develop specific life skills.
- Incorporate technology and online resources: For example, by providing students with access to online tools and resources that can help them learn and practice life skills.
- It is worth noting that there is no one-size-fits-all solution and schools should find the methods that work best for their specific context and students. The international schools of Kolkata have been making a difference in education with a holistic curriculum that is closely linked to life skill development.
