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The masses would have heard the statement, “Do not prepare the road for the child; prepare the child for the road.” While we all like to protect our children from any problems, the fact is that we aren’t going to be there to handhold them each time. It is, therefore, imperative to teach them basic life skills that will help them navigate the ups and downs of life. The importance of life skills is significantly heightened as we live in an increasingly VUCA world that is volatile and uncertain. Being able to cope with our emotions, manage stress, and think critically are, therefore, essential aspects of well-being more than ever before.

Research has shown that the first five years of life are extremely crucial, as this is where 90% of brain development occurs. At this stage, it is essential that the child be offered the proper stimulation and experiences that help in this development. This is an excellent time to introduce them to age-appropriate life skills. For instance, preschoolers need to be taught the concept of empathy towards others. They also need to be taught an emotional vocabulary that allows them to name their various emotions. The vital lesson to teach them is that all feelings are acceptable; what isn’t satisfactory, however, is a negative manifestation of these emotions. For instance, if the child is upset that another child isn’t playing with him and ends up hitting the other child, his feeling of being upset and sad needs to be validated; however, he needs to be told that hitting as an expression of the sadness, isn’t acceptable behavior.

Similarly, while it may be very tempting to rush in and solve every problem for the child, it will be good not to make a beeline to solve problems that the child can solve on their own. Another tip to follow is giving the child age-appropriate choices that enable them to develop their thinking and independence. At Footprints, where we follow a HighScope Curriculum, the overall approach followed by teachers is that of scaffolding & helping children grow. Regarding conflict resolution, teachers use a problem-solving approach instead of jumping in to solve the conflict for the child.

As the child grows up, several other life skills must be taught. WHO lists the following 10 life skills that are important to the overall well-being of a person:

• Self-awareness
• Empathy
• Critical thinking
• Creative thinking
• Decision-making
• Problem-Solving
• Effective communication
• Interpersonal relationship
• Coping with stress
• Coping with emotions

Developing these skills can help students in several ways. First and foremost, it allows them to find new ways of thinking and problem-solving. When faced with challenging situations, students tend not to be overwhelmed; instead, they find solutions to overcome these issues. These life skills also enable them to develop greater self-awareness and understand others’ points of view. Needless to say, it helps them in later life as they take on jobs, build relationships, and more. These life skills also help them build confidence and be able to work in teams.

The more children build these life skills individually, the more they benefit society as we develop a more tolerant society that respects diversity. In the current times, we are increasingly seeing a lot of divisiveness and polarisation in societies, with individuals carrying the attitude of- my way or the highway. That this kind of mindset leads to conflicts and violence is a given. What can help us take fruitful steps towards a peaceful society is to equip every child with a sense of awareness for self and empathy for others. These skills, developed early, will go a long way in laying the foundation for an inclusive society. Individuals who can empathize with others also go a long way in building a society that believes in resolutions instead of resentments.

That said, to be able to teach life skills to students is no mean job. You cannot be preachy. Instead, these skills have to be taught practically and in a manner they can learn and absorb. Both parents and schools can play a substantial role in equipping children with these life skills.

Pragyanam is one premier CBSE school in Gurgaon, founded with the aim of cultivating lasting happiness in every child and equipping them to handle life changes. Guided by the World Health Organization’s list of 10 life skills that underpin an individual’s ability to enjoy life, Pragyanam has woven these life skills into its curriculum. This ensures that learning these skills does not become a chore; instead, it helps transform the learning experience into a growth voyage that the child savors.

Here is to help each child live up to their fullest potential and to ensure we develop an inclusive society!