Topic 5 What are the life skills?
- According to the WHO, life skills are “Abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life”.
- We are talking about skills that prepare the individual for an independent and productive life within society, which enable them to cope with relationships with others, stressors, and daily life problems, and thus prevent maladaptive or risky behaviors from being established.
- Not all children and adolescents learn life skills «naturally», which is why, according to WHO, it is essential that such learning also comes from special programs designed into educational settings such as schools or sports groups.
- Every minor must have a chance to partecipate in a special program, and society has a duty to provide it.
- Taking up this definition, life skills appear countless, but WHO has drawn up a list of 10 main skills to invest in within education.
