Beena Johnson, MBBS, DCH, MD, PhD
Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode,
Kerala, India. PIN: 673004
Address for Correspondence: Dr. Beena Johnson, MBBS,
DCH, MD, PhD. Paediatrician and Senior Consultant in Child
Guidance, Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode, Kerala, India.
Email: jiacam@gmail.com
Keywords: life skills, key to success
Introduction
Life skills are the abilities for adaptive and positive
behavior which enable the individuals to deal effectively with
the challenges and stress of everyday life. Cognitive skills
are used for analyzing information, personal skills help in
self-management and inter-personal skills are needed for good
communication and effective social interaction [1]. These
skills can be developed through scientific professional
training. Life skills empower the adolescents to choose the
best values and behaviors which are essential for positive
health. Students who acquire life skills become better
adjusted to the school environment and their academic
performance will definitely improve. Their self esteem
increases and they become capable of coping with the demands
and challenges of daily life. Through repeated practicing,
individuals can develop mastery over these skills. They learn
to apply life skills in all problematic situations in real
life and gain control over stressful situations easily.
Important life skills
Self-awareness, critical thinking, creative thinking, decision
making, problem solving, effective communication skills,
interpersonal relations, coping with emotions, coping with
stress, and empathy are the important life skills required for
success in life and career.
Self-awareness includes the recognition of our strengths,
weaknesses, likes and dislikes. Those who acquire self
awareness, become consciously aware of their emotional states
and their relationships with others in the family and society.
Self-awareness is a very important skill which helps in
alleviating emotional distress and leads to self-development
and emotional well being [2]. Individuals with self awareness
overcome the performance related stress easily.
Critical thinking is the skill needed to analyze experiences
in an objective manner and to recognize the factors
influencing attitudes and behaviours. Critical
thinking skills should be acquired for proper analysis of
stressful situations and for the correct decision making [3].
Problem-solving enables children and adolescents to deal
effectively with the day to day challenges of life.
Problem-solving skill is dependent on prior specific
experiences and detailed conceptual knowledge applicable to
the problematic situation [4]. Creative-thinking will help
children to explore the available alternatives as well as the
consequences of their actions and respond adaptively to the
various situations in life. Creative thinking skill enables to
develop leadership qualities among students [5].
Adolescents with decision-making skill will actively make
correct decisions in life by scientifically assessing
different options. Compared to adults, adolescents have lower
level of decision-making competence [6].
Barriers for acquiring competence in decision-making include
attitudinal constraints, peer group pressures and breakdowns
in family functioning [7]. Hence scientific guidance
should be provided for adolescents to develop the decision
making skill.
Interpersonal-relationship skills help individuals to relate
in positive ways with other people, which enable them to keep
good relationships, which are needed for social well-being.
This also includes the ability to end certain relationships
constructively using assertiveness skill. In the process of
applying assertiveness skill, the nature of the problem should
be recognized and scientific solutions should be suggested.
The behavior which leads to the problem must be identified and
the feelings about the problem should be expressed. Messages
with clear statement should also be given regarding the
consequences [8].
Effective-communication skill makes the individuals competent
to express themselves, both verbally and non-verbally, in the
most appropriate way in all situations of life. Good
communication is essential for success in career. It will
enable a person to effectively negotiate with individuals.
Effective communication is an important leadership quality
[9].
Empathy is the capacity to place oneself in another person's
position and to understand the feelings of others, which will
definitely improve the social interactions. Empathy involves
appreciating a person's emotions and expressing that awareness
to the person [10].
Coping with emotions include the skills required for managing
the emotions in the proper way. The skills which are required
to cope with stressful events of life are fundamental aspects
which emerge over the course of development from childhood to
adulthood [11]. Individuals who acquire the skill for coping
with stress will take actions to reduce the sources of stress.
They also learn to relax during situations of unavoidable
stress, so that the emotional distress will not lead to health
problems.
Conclusion
Life skills will definitely help individuals to make correct
decisions, solve problems in life scientifically, think
critically and creatively, cope with stress and manage their
life in a highly productive manner. Knowledge and application
of life skills will also enable persons to take leadership
roles.
Life skills training for the students will definitely improve
their adjustment with peer group, teachers and parents. By
increasing the empathy, communication skills and interpersonal
relationships, their social interactions becomes much better.
Self efficacy and self-confidence will also increase through
life skills training, which will empower the children and
adolescents for best performance in future life.
References
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1st October 2017.
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JE, Holloway JA, Straub-Morarend CL, Gratton
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