Life skills in education

 Education is not the learning of facts,it is the training of mind to think intellectually and act purposefully & socially. Totality of learning occurs only when the three domains viz, cognitive , affective & psychomotor undergoes behavioral modification. That is wholesome learning by the coordination of 3H, Head, Heart & Hand.

To be a resourceful citizen one must be mastered in hardskills as well as softskills. As Dr D.S Kothari quoted, " The destiny of India is being shaped in her classrrooms " . To utilize the human resources in its full extent,  the learners  of today will be mastered with life skills.

The World Health Organization has defined life skills as, "the abilities for adaptive and positive behavior that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life".

The World Health Organisation (WHO) classified life skills into three major broad areas. They are:

• Thinking skills
•  Social skills 
• Emotional skills

Thinking skills: Thinking skills are the skill that enhances the logical faculty of the brain using an analytical ability, thinking creatively and critically, and developing problem-solving skills and improving decision-making abilities.
Social skills: Social skills include interpersonal skills, communication skills, leadership skills, management skills, advocacy skills, co-operation,  team building skills, etc.
Emotional skills: Emotional skills, involves, knowing and being comfortable with oneself. Thus, self– management, including managing/coping with feelings, emotions, stress and resisting peer and family pressure.

The desirable qualities needed for certain forms of employment that do not depend on acquired knowledge: they include common sense, the ability to deal with people, and a positive flexible attitude.

Significance :

To cope with the increasing pace and change of modern life, students need new life skills such as the ability to deal with stress and frustration. Today’s students will have many new jobs over the course of their lives, with associated pressures and the need for flexibility.

In everyday life, the development of life skills helps students to:

• Find new ways of thinking and problem solving
• Recognise the impact of their actions and teaches them to take responsibility for what they do than blaming others
• Build confidence both in spoken skills and for group collaboration and cooperation
• Analyse options, make decisions and understand why they make certain choices outside classroom
• Develop a greater sense of self-awareness and appreciation for others.
• The ability to self-manage, solve problems and understand the business environment
• Working well as part of a team
• Time and people management
• Agility and adaptability to different roles and flexible working environments.
• Recognising cultural awareness and citizenship makes international cooperation easier
• Respecting diversity allows creativity and imagination to flourish developing a more tolerant society
• Developing negotiation skills, the ability to network and empathies can help to build resolutions rather than resentments.

Essential Life Skills.

Some components of life skills that sounds relevant are listed below.

• Communicate effectively
• Attentive listener
• Self control
• Positive attitude 
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution skill
• Empathy
• Taking responsibility
• Motivator/ Inspirer
• Leadership quality
• Team spirit
• Problem solving skill
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Self Awareness
• Decision Making Skills
• Self Esteem
• Interpersonal Skills
• Wins people co-operation
• Coping with Emotions 
• Handling with  Pressure
• Creativity and innovation in ideas
• Dedication
• Work ethics
• Self confidence
• Tolerance
• Time and event management skills
• Flexibility
• Healthy Debater
• Group cohesion
• Scaffolder
• Sense of humour
• Enthusiastic
• Emotionally intelligent
• Positively deals with criticism
• Goal/ Target setting skill.

In its nutshell,life skills the three components thinking skill, social skills and emotional skills compliment each other, the mutual balancing and harmony of these three makes a citizen charismatic and resourceful