Life skills can be defined as important values and learnings that help a child carry out everyday tasks. These may include the ability to critically make judgments, indulge in problem-solving, manage one's problems, and efficiently look after academic and extracurricular obligations. Life skills also encompass displaying interpersonal skills, such as empathy, cooperation, and clear communication skills. These skills can enhance the quality of life by letting a child make responsible decisions in the field of academics, career, and the relationships that they make in life. Parents can introduce different types of life skills to kids early on to make them more responsible and mindful individuals. Instead of theoretical knowledge, experiential learning through activities and real-life experiences can be a better way of teaching children life skills and their importance.
Here is a list of some super engaging and important life skills activities for kids that parents and teachers can use for better learning.
The ability to cook makes a child more independent and self-reliant. Cooking is an important survival skill that parents must try to teach their kids from an early age. This can be done by involving kids in everyday cooking practice and giving them age-appropriate tasks. For example, if your child is between the age group of 3 to 5, then you may ask them to pass on vegetables and fruits as per requirement. This will also enhance their knowledge about various types of fruits and vegetables and the differences between them. As the child grows up, you may slowly diversify the tasks that you give them and encourage them to make simple dishes like jam and bread on their own. Slowly, the child may learn how to cook while also growing their problem-solving and analytical skills.
Money management is the skill of handling money and using it in an efficacious way. It includes the right knowledge of budgeting, investment, and when and how to save money. Knowledge of important financial terms such as credit, loan, and savings make a child financially literate from an early age. All of these insights are necessary for a child to make real-life financial decisions that are prudent and beneficial in the long run. Games like business, monopoly, and role-play games help a child become more proficient with money management.
Public speaking activities, such as taking part in debate competitions, speeches, and declamation contests, allow children to express themselves confidently in front of other individuals. Clarity of speech and thoughts is important for a child to succeed in life, irrespective of the domain that they choose. It also helps in developing fruitful relations in life and expanding social networks. A child who cannot express themselves fully may suffer from social ostracization. To avoid this, parents may encourage the child to participate in such activities. At home, parents may organize storytelling and show-and-tell activities to improve a child's ability to frame sentences and express themselves.
Knowing how to apply a bandage and treat minor cuts helps children understand how to deal with unprecedented medical emergencies on their own. There might be times when a child faces such challenges and doesn't have any adults by their side. In such a situation, it's always good that the child can help themselves or anyone else around in danger. Slowly parents can introduce CPR techniques and encourage the child to memorize important medical emergency numbers, such as for an ambulance or a hospital number.
Engaging your child in activities that increase their knowledge about environmental responsibility helps in making them more prudent. Parents should try to indulge their children in active environmental drives and cleaning initiatives in their nearby areas. Having a small house garden also makes the child understand how to deal with plants carefully. This helps in raising a child who is inherently responsible and mindful of their habits. The child will grow up into an individual who is thankful to the environment for everything that they have received. Showing informational movies and biographies is also a great way of enhancing a child's understanding of the environment and the repercussions of pollution.
Critical thinking is the ability to analyze the situation properly before thinking of probable creative and innovative solutions. A child who thinks critically can become a competent entrepreneur, banker, investor, and succeed in many such professions. These skills are also important for a child to deal with day-to-day challenges in the academic and personal spheres. Parents can promote critical thinking among kids by indulging them in artistic activities that stimulate cognitive development. Playing games such as chess also makes a child think out of the box. Taking part in vocational disciplines like dance and music may also be beneficial for the child.
Parents, teachers, and other adults in a child's life can play a significant role in imparting important life skills and shaping the child into a well-rounded individual. These skills also enable the child with the ability to handle life challenges with grit and patience. Life is an ongoing journey of learning new values and skills. However, with the help of parents, kids can instill important habits timely and shape themselves into the leaders of tomorrow.
References
https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/63552/WHO_MNH_PSF_93.7A_Rev.2.pdf