1. LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION An Introduction
Rao Mohar Singh College of Education
LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION An Introduction
Presented by-
Rajni Kotnala
Adolescent Friendly School Initiative

2. Today’s Youth Tomorrow's Wealth

3. What is ‘Life Skills’? WHO (1997)
“the abilities for adaptive and positive behavior that enables individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life”
UNICEF (2001)
“life-skills based education is
-behavior change or behavior development approach
-designed to address a balance of three areas:
knowledge, attitude, and skills.

4. Why Life-Skills Education?
Early identification of problems, early intervention and support at key moments in lives of young people is vital
Development needs & aspirations of the individuals
Development of psychosocial abilities
To enhance capabilities and enlarge choices
To build different dimensions of well-being, by building self-image & self-worth, which in turn help individuals to be less vulnerable to the variations within a given context

5. Education To Fight Poverty And Vulnerability
MONETARY POVERTY
POVERTY IN LIVING CONDITIONS
POVERTY IN POTENTIALITY
“Vulnerability” is the probability of having one’s situation worsen when facing a dramatic event.

6. World Education Forum, 2000 Dakar Framework For Action
“the human right to benefit from an education that will meet their(youth’s) basic learning needs in the best and fullest sense of the term, an education that includes learning to know, to do, to live together and to be”
Life Skills Approach strengthens the ability of an individual to evolve, developing self-confidence and power to act, without being restricted to a single hands on skill

7. What are the “Life Skills” ?
Problem-Solving
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Creative Thinking
Communication Skills
Self-Awareness
Stress Management
Empathy
Interpersonal Relationship

8. The Four Pillars of Education
Learning to Know: Developing Reasoning
It relates to cognitive life skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills. It thus refers to both the acquisition of knowledge as well as the use of knowledge.
Learning to Be: Enhancing Agency
It relates to self-management life skills related to self awareness, self esteem & self confidence, and coping skills
Learning to Live Together: Building Potential Through Social Capital
It relates to communication skills, Negotiation skills, Refusal skills, Assertiveness skills, Interpersonal skills, Co-operation skills & Empathy skills
Learning to Do: Functioning and Capabilities
It refers to central human functional capabilities of “Life”, “Bodily Health”, “Bodily Integrity” and “Control over one’s Environment”

9. Significance of learning Life Skills
To be able to explore alternatives
Weigh pros and cons
Make rational decisions
Communicate effectively
To say “No”
Be assertive

10. How ‘Life Skills’ lead to primary prevention of health problems?
Knowledge
Attitudes
Values
Life Skills
Behavior reinforcement or change
Positive Health Behavior
Prevention of Health Problems

11. PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILL
Allows to solve an issue, problem or conflict
without anger, intimidation, insubordination,
aggressive force or behavior
Devising a plan in order to solve a problem
Examining a related problem
Adjustment to a situation
PROBLEMS if left unresolved  MENTAL &
PHYSICAL STRESS

12. What is Decision Making ?
Abilities to assess available options
Relating current situation to past similar situation
To foresee the consequences of different decisions (actions/non-actions)
No decision is also a decision

13. Responsible Decision Making
Making decision after examining the choices & consequences in view of one’s values and goals is Responsible Decision Making

14. Steps for Responsible Decision Making
Identify/Define the problem
Consider the consequences or outcomes
Consider family and personal values
Choose one alternative
Implement the decision

15. Critical Thinking
Ability to analyze information and experiences in an objective manner
Helps adolescents to recognize and to assess the factors influencing attitude & behavior - values, pressures (peer,family)
Key to form right attitudes towards life
Assists in developing responsible behavior.

16. Creative Thinking
Enables to explore available alternatives and consequences of actions or non-actions
Openness to experience
Helps adolescents to respond adaptively and with flexibility to the daily life situations

17. SELF-AWARENESS Body movement and gestures
Taking responsibility for own behavior
Being able to stand up for one’s own values and needs
Awareness of mental process
Knowing one’s thought, feelings and actions

18. Coping with emotions & stress
Recognizing effects of emotions on others and ourselves
Being aware of how emotions influence behaviors
Able to respond to emotions appropriately

19. How to Cope with Stress Recognize sources of stress in our life
Recognizing how these affect us
Identifying ways that help to control our levels of stress
Learning how to relax to minimize tensions

20. Empathy Ability to understand and accept others
To put oneself in other person’s shoes
Being nurturing and tolerant
Encourages a positive behavior towards people in need or difficulty

21. Interpersonal Skills
To be able to develop & nurture supportive networks
To be able to end relationships constructively
Helps adolescents to relate
with people in positive ways

22. Effective Communication
To express ourselves verbally & non-verbally
To express opinions, desires, needs & fears also
To ask for advice and help

23. Take Pleasure & Pride in saying NO when one wants to say “no”
Ways to say NO
Polite refusal
Give reason
Repeat refusal
Walk away
Ignore the person
Avoid the situation
Find others’ support
Talk about your own feelings

24. Life Skills Education Dynamic teaching & Dynamic learning
Working in small groups & pairs
Brainstorming
Role-plays
Experiential learning
Games & debates
Home assignments, to further discuss and practice skills with family & friends.

25. Thus, the ‘Life skills’ ….
are applied
in various aspects of life
in human relationships, learning about rights & responsibilities
in health issues:
Mental Health-Stresses
HIV-AIDS /STD Prevention
Drug abuse,
Sexual violence
Teenage pregnancy
Suicide Prevention

26. Therefore, the Adolescents should know about ‘Life skills’ because
Empowers them to take positive actions to protect themselves and to promote health and positive social relationships.
Utility in Other areas
Environment Education
Consumer Education
Peace Education
Social cultural Issues

27. THANK YOU