The Importance of Life Skills in the Modern World

What are life skills?

In essence, life skills are the abilities that enable people to deal with challenging and demanding situations with a positive and adaptive behavior. Life skills are those skills that add value to the life of an individual and the society which he or she inhabits. These skills help people sail smoothly through the often turbulent waters of life. They are meant to help an individual grow and develop into a productive member of the larger community.

The need for life skills

The world is changing rapidly, and the rate of change is getting faster with every passing year. Unlike their ancestors, the children of the modern world are not growing up in stable and predictable times. Many students who are in school today might graduate into a workforce that is drastically different from the one for which they were trained during their academic life.  

Even ten years ago, for example, schools required their students to memorize facts and practice handwriting. Both are skills that have now been rendered obsolete in the workforce. Even a person with an eidetic memory is easily surpassed in the realm of knowledge by someone who knows how to use the internet. Likewise, almost all offices use computers and no documents are written by hand anymore. Hence, it is the ability to analyze facts that is far more important for modern workers than the ability to memorize them.

Few people can claim to know what the world will look like in the next twenty years or so. So what kind of an education system can prepare a child for a future that nobody can predict? The only solution is to educate children in such a way that helps them deal constructively with change and unexpected circumstances. In an ever-changing world, there is no skill as valuable as the ability to learn quickly and think creatively.

Therefore, mentioned below are some of the life skills that every child should be taught at school. The top schools in Jaipur, Delhi and the rest of the country have already incorporated life skill education as a major part of their overall curriculum.

· Decision making

· Problem solving

· Creative thinking

· Critical thinking

· Effective communication

· Resilience

· Self-awareness

· Assertiveness

· Empathy

· Equanimity

These are some of the skills that children must be taught at school, so that they can deal with the challenges of the future without being overwhelmed. You should browse the websites of some of the top schools in Jaipur and other cities to ensure that life skill training is included within their curriculum. 

Areas to Focus on for the All-Round Development of Children in School

A school is the place where the personality of a child is nurtured and developed. However, a good schooling does not only entail academic learning, it is a process that goes beyond the four walls of a classroom. In order to ensure the all-round growth and development of the students, there are various aspects a school should work towards, apart from providing good quality academic education.

To ensure the all-round development of the children, it is important that that a school focuses on the following areas:

· Life skills: There are certain abilities or expertise a person requires being able to efficiently adapt to the challenges of daily life. These skills also aid a person to interact with others in a positive manner. The various important life skills, such as decision making, critical thinking, self-awareness, assertiveness, problem solving, as well as communication, and social skills should be developed in schools to help the students become a socially aware and productive part of the society. These skills also ensure that the students are able to solve their everyday problems without facing any hassles.

· Creative thinking: A school should stimulate curiosity in the young minds of the children, and equip them with the necessary tools required to utilize their creativity in a productive manner. It is important that a school fosters an environment that encourages innovation, so that the students can expand their horizons. By encouraging creative thinking in schools, teachers can aid the students to channelize their thoughts and ideas into a constructive path.  

· Extra-curricular activities: Participation in extracurricular activities is imperative for the all-round development of a child’s personality. These activities go a long way in developing the physical, moral, cognitive, and emotional faculties of the students. Children can participate in various kinds of extra curricular activities in the school, such as sports, acting, drama, music, etc. Some of the students may even find their hidden talents and passion in these activities.

A child would need capabilities and skills beyond academics to become truly successful in life. Therefore, before admitting your child into a school, it is highly important that you ensure that it focuses on the above-mentioned areas too.

Why Child Development Classes are Important in Early Education

Children have this uncanny ability to absorb things when they are young. Everything that they learn helps them in one way or the other, to have a better future. They are easily moldable and this allows parents and teachers to ensure optimal development. This is the reason why many schools in India are making child development classes an integral part of their school curriculum.

These classes offer numerous benefits to your child. Some of them are as follows:

The Ability to Socialize

Children learn to socialize at home with the family. However, they also need to socialize with peers and adults in a safe environment. When children are exposed to kids from different walks of life, as it happens in a school, they learn to forge friendships and overcome shyness. Above all, it helps them gain self-confidence.

Understanding the Concept of Cooperation

A school that lays emphasis on child development teaches young children how to cooperate, share, and persevere, under the guidance of a knowledgeable and experienced teacher. This teaches them to work with their peers as a team and proves to be very useful for single kids.

Ensuring Holistic Development

One of the main benefits of child development classes is that they ensure holistic development. These classes lay a strong foundation for emotional, mental, social, and physical development of a child. Early childhood teachers are trained to spot areas that require more support and then design activities around those areas for maximum benefits.

Forging a Yearning for Lifelong Learning

Since these classes are held in a fun and interesting manner, children get encouraged to become effective learners. As a result, children enjoy learning and develop an enthusiasm and thirst for learning, and this stays with them throughout their lives.

Becoming More Resilient

These classes create a consistent and fair environment where children learn what is expected of them and the consequences of when those expectations are not met. Hence, this gives kids space to manage their emotions and themselves, laying a foundation to cope with challenges in life.

Early education plays a vital role in the life of a child. However, ensuring that the school has classes that focus on child development is also important, as it will pave way for the all-round development of your child.