Life Skills for KidsFeyxoa Institute, March 2017

This presentation describes the “life skills” that are generally advisable for a

child to learn between the ages 5 to 16. The focus is on identifying the

“magic activities” that effectively teach more than one skill at the same time.

Emotional intelligence, while being of great importance, is out of scope.

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What skills should a kid learnIn terms of life skills, an average kid generally needs to learn in these four areas:

Thinking Communication

Fitness Practical skills

Within each of these areas, there could be different learning priorities depending on individual, family, social or cultural circumstances. However, globalization makes it easier to

come up with a general list suitable for a cosmopolitan kid of the 21st century.

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Thinking

Analysis

Synthesis

Problem-Solving

Decision making

Risk calculation

Research

math

scientific experiments

internet research

Process design

organization of events

Creating thinking, e.g. building sets,

drawing

Board games, e.g. chess, weiqi

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Communication

Com

mun

icati

onWritten

Com

mun

icati

onVerbal

Com

mun

icati

onFacial/Body

Languages Theater

DebatingEssay writing

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Fitness Components

Fitness

Strength

Flexibility

Endurance

Coordination

e.g. splits

e.g. bench press

e.g. running

e.g. head stand

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Fitness Activities

Swimming Gymnastics Team sports* Martial arts Rock climbing

Strength ++ ++ + ++ ++

Endurance ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Flexibility ++ + +

Coordination + ++ ++ ++ +

*The choice of the team sport depends on the local availability and the child/family preferences and future plans.

Here some of the most common and useful fitness activities for kids:

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Common Practical Skills

Navigation Tying knots Swimming Cycling

Horse riding Dancing Money skills Repair skills

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Magic Activities

Magic Activity

Thinking

Fitness

Communi-cation

Practical skills

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Magic Activities (Part I)“Magic Activities” are those that develop a combination of different life skills:

Magic Activity

Life Skills

Thinking Communication Fitness Practical Skill

Water polo + (team sport) ++ + (swimming)

Dancing + + ++

Acting (theater) + +

Cycling group tour + + ++

Hiking/camping in a group + + + +

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Magic Activities (Part II)

Magic Activity

Life Skills

Thinking Communication Fitness Practical Skill

Journalism play ++ ++

Rock climbing + + ++ +

Summer job + + +

Foreign travel ++ ++ ++

“Magic Activities” are those that develop a combination of different life skills:

Thank you for your attention!

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