2. WHAT IS LIFE SKILL ?
WHO (1997) “The abilities for adaptive and positive behavior that enables
individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday
life”
'Adaptive' means that a person is flexible in approach and is able to adjust to
different circumstances. 'Positive behavior' implies that a person is forward
looking and finds a ray of hope, solution and opportunities even in difficult
situations.
3. WHY LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION
Early identification of problems, early intervention and support at key moments in lives
Early identification of problems, early intervention and support at key moments in livesof
young people is vital
Development needs & aspirations of the individuals
Development of psychosocial abilities
To enhance capabilities and enlarge choices
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.
4. WHAT IS THE EXPECTED OUTCOME OF THE
LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMME?
Enhanced self esteem
Assertiveness
Social sensitivity
Listening and communication skills
Ability to plan and set goals
5. 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
6. WHAT ARE LIFE SKILLS
LIFE SKILLS
THINKING SKILLS SOCIAL SKILLS EMOTIONAL SKILLS
Self-Awareness Interpersonal relationships Managing emotions
Problem-Solving Effective- communication Coping with stress
Decision-Making Empathy
Critical-Thinking
Creative-Thinking
7. THINKING-SKILLS
These include decision-making/problem-solving skills and
information gathering skills. The individual must also be
skilled at evaluating the future consequences of their present
actions and the actions 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.
8. SOCIAL-SKILLS
These include verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening and the ability to
These include verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening and the ability to
express feelings and give feed back. 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. Team
work and the ability to cooperate include expressing respect for those around us.
Development of 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.
9. EMOTIONAL-SKILLS
These refer to skills to increase the internal locus of control, so that the individualThese
These refer to skills to increase the internal locus of control, so that the individual
believes that s/he can make a difference in the world and affect change. Self-esteem,
self-awareness, self-evaluation skills and the ability to set goals are also part of the more
general category of self-management skills. Anger, grief and anxiety must all be dealt
with, and the individual learns to cope with loss or trauma. Stress and time management
are key areas of focus, as are positive thinking and relaxation techniques.
10. HOW DO LIFE-SKILLS HELP?
Thinking-Skills :-With the enhancement of thinking skills, an individual demonstrates the
ability to be original, flexible and imaginative. Instead of taking all that comes her/his way,
s/he raises questions and thinks critically, identifies and analyses problems. While deciding
on a thing s/he implements a well thought out decision and takes responsibility. It makes ne
comfortable with one's own self at the same time accepting or trying to overcome
weaknesses while building on the strengths for positive self concept.
11. SOCIAL-SKILLS
Social-skills help a person to demonstrate the ability to identify, verbalize and
respond effectively to others' emotions in an empathetic manner. Along with this
s/he gets along well with others without prejudices. S/he also takes criticism
constructively and reflects, listens actively and communicates using appropriate
words ,intonation and body language.
12. EMOTIONAL-SKILLS
With enhanced emotional skills an individual is able to identify
causes and effects of stress on oneself and develop and use multi-
faceted strategies to deal with it. As and when required, the
person is also able to express and respond to emotions with an
awareness of the consequences.
13. SELF-AWARENESS
Self-awareness includes our recognition of 'self', of our character, of our strengths and weaknesses,
desires and dislikes. Developing self-awareness can help us to recognize when we are stressed or feel
under pressure. It is also often a pre-requisite to effective communication and interpersonal-relations, as
well as developing empathy for others.We all have different attributes/qualities.
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
14. EMPATHY
Empathy is the ability to imagine what life is like for another person, even in a
situation that we may not be familiar with. Empathy can help us to understand and
accept others, who may be very different from ourselves. So this skill can improve
social interactions, for example, in situations of ethnic or cultural diversity.
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
15. CRITICAL- THINKING
Critical- Thinking is an ability to analyze information and experiences in an objective
manner. Critical-thinking can contribute by helping us to recognize and assess the factors
that influence attitudes and behaviour, such as values, peer-pressure and the media.
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.
Ability to analyze information and experiences in an objective manner
16. CREATIVE-THINKING
Creative-Thinking contributes to both decision-making and problem-solving by enabling us to
explore the available alternatives and various consequences of our actions or non-action. It helps us
to look beyond our direct experience and even if no problem is identified, or no decision is to be
made, creative-thinking can help us to respond adaptively and with flexibility to the situations of our
daily lives.
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. DECISION-MAKING
Decision-Making helps us to deal constructively with decisions about our lives. This
can have positive consequences for the health of young people when they actively
make decisions about their own health practices by assessing different options and
the effects of different decisions.
18. 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
19. PROBLEM-SOLVING
Problem-Solving enables us to deal constructively with problems in our lives. Significant problems
that are left unresolved can cause mental-stress and give rise to accompanying physical strain.
Devising a plan in order to solve a problem
Examining a related problem
Adjustment to a situation
PROBLEMS if left unresolved MENTAL & PHYSICAL STRESS
20. INTERPERSONAL-RELATIONSHIP
Interpersonal-Relationship Skills help us to relate in positive ways with the people we interact
with. This may mean being able to make and keep friendly relationships, which can be of great
importance to our mental and social well being. It may mean keeping good relations with family
members, which are an important source of social support. It may also mean being able to end
relationships constructively.
To be able to develop & nurture supportive networks
To be able to end relationships constructively
Helps adolescents to relate with people in positive ways
21. EFFECTIVE-COMMUNICATION
Effective-Communication means that we are able to express ourselves, both verbally and
non-verbally, in ways that are appropriate to our cultures and situations.This means being
able to express opinions and desires, but also needs and fears. And it may mean being able
to ask for advice and help in a time of need.
To express ourselves verbally & non-verbally
To express opinions, desires, needs & fears also
To ask for advice and help
22. COPING WITH EMOTIONS
Coping with emotions means involving recognizing emotions within us and others, being
aware of how emotions influence behavior and being able to respond to emotions
appropriately. Intense emotions like anger or sadness can have negative effects on our
health if we do not respond appropriately.
Recognizing effects of emotions on others and ourselves
Being aware of how emotions influence behaviors
Able to respond to emotions appropriately
23. COPING WITH STRESS
Coping with stress means recognizing the sources of stress in our lives, recognizing how
this affects us, and acting in ways that help us control our levels of stress, by changing our
environment or lifestyle and learning how to relax.
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
24. 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
