INTRODUCTION TO LIFE SKILLS

Nature and definition of life skills

Life skills are the abilities and competencies that can help individuals effectively navigate various
challenges and challenges and situations in their lives. They are essential for personal development and
success. Life skills are defined as “a group of psychosocial competencies and interpersonal skills that
help people make informed decisions, solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate
effectively, build healthy relationships, empathize with others, and cope with and manage their lives in a
healthy and productive manner”.

As defined in the document of World Health Organization life skills are “abilities for adaptive and
positive behavior that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of
everyday life.” It is also defined as “behavioral changes or behavioral development approach designed
to address a balance of three areas: knowledge attitude and skills” (UNICEF‟s definition).

Life skills enable effective communication, for example, being able to differentiate

between hearing and listening and ensuring that messages are transmitted accurately

to avoid miscommunication and misinterpretations.

With life skills, one is able to explore alternatives, weigh pros and cons and make

rational decisions in solving each problem or issue as it arises. It also entails being

able to establish productive interpersonal relationships with others

Components of life skills

The following are simple description given for major components of life skills.

 Critical thinking -thinking more effectively within curricular subject areas, understanding the
reasoning employed, assessing independently and appropriately, and solving problems
effectively. This component of life skill also involves thinking outside the box,finding new
solutions, giving unique perspectives, establishing new ideas, creating innovative products and
accurately assessing data or information.
 Self-confidence – is the degree to which one can rely on his/her ability to perform certain
behavior alone or in public. It is individual ‘s trust in his or her own abilities, capacities, and
judgments, or belief that he or she can successfully face day-to-day challenges and demands
which describes an internal state made up of what we think and feel about ourselves.
 Self-awareness – knowledge and understanding of one ‘s strengthens and weaknesses. This
enables to take actions, make choices and take decisions that are consistent with one's own
abilities.
It is important, because it helps to
-recognise the weak and strong sides of one's behavior and abilities
-differentiate what one can do or can't do by him/herself
-recognise things that can't be changed and accept them
 -appriciate oneself (people aren't alike and diversity is a good thing
-recognise one's own unique talents

 self-esteem - the degree to which we perceive ourselves positively or negatively; our overall
attitude toward ourselves, which can be measured explicitly or implicitly.
 Decision-making - Processes involved in combining and integrating available information to
choose, implement and evaluate one out of several possible courses of actions. the individual
must also be skilled at evaluating the future consequences of their present actions and the
action of others. they need to be able to determine alternative solutions and to analyze the
influence of their own values and the values of those around them.
 Interpersonal relationships – the relationships a person have with others persons. They are
social associations, connections, or affiliations between two or more people having various
levels of intimacy and sharing, and implying the discovery or establishment of common ground.
also in this category, are negotiation / refusal skills and assertiveness skills that directly affect
one's ability to manage conflict. Empathy, which is the ability to listen and understand others
needs, is also a key interpersonal skill. development ot this skill set enables the adolescent to be
accepted in society. these skills result in the acceptance of social norms that provide the
foundation for adult social behavior.
 Reflective communication - attending communications with thoughtful and due attention to
reflect on one ‘s own thinking, behaviors and interaction with others.
 Peer pressure resistance – individual ‘s abilities and skills to confront negative influences from
his/her group members.
 Knowing rights and duties – One ‘s knowledge and understanding of rights and duties of
individuals, groups, institutions and nations allowed to do or not to do by law and/or a culture.
 Problem solving - the process of identifying a discrepancy between an actual and desired state
of affairs, difficulties, obstacles and complex issues and then taking action to resolve the
deficiency or take advantage of the opportunity.
Goals of life skills
The main aim of life skills site abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal
effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life. the goal of knowing and applying life skills
is to lead a smooth and successful life at home, work place and in social relations.

Developing life skills can produce the following effects:

 lessened violent behavior

 increased pro-social behavior and decreased negative, self-destructive behavior
 increased ability to plan ahead and choose effective solutions to problems
 improved self-image, self-awareness, social and emotional adjustment
 increased acquisition of knowledge
 improved classroom behavior
 gains in self- control and handling of interpersonal problems and coping with anxiety
 improved constructive conflict resolution with peers, impulse control and popularity.
 One is able to explore alternatives, weigh pros and cons and make rational decisions in solving
each problem or issue as it arises
 It also entails being able to establish productive interpersonal relationships with others.