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Life Skills Development
February 17, 2010
The World Health Organization reports there’s “growing recognition of and evidence for the role of psychosocial and interpersonal skills in the development of young people, from their earliest years through childhood, adolescence, and into young adulthood … [They are also] essential for working adults. UNICEF, UNESCO and WHO list 10 core life skill strategies and techniques involving: Self-awareness, Self-management, Critical thinking, Decision-making, Problem solving, Empathy, Creativity, Communication, Interpersonal relationship skills, Coping with stress.
The Saskatchewan NewStart Model of Life Skills
This model, developed in the 1960s and 70s, uses an experiential, scaffolded approach to life skills development. It was originally designed to deliver basic adult education to disadvantaged communities. A major aspect is the development of group cohesiveness and consequent peer group support. The group becomes the primary learning and support vehicle. When participants finish the program, they take away a vital support network that continued to reinforce prosocial behaviours. The NewStart Model is now used more generally. However, the original inspiration continues to inform the model. That is “that the development of the individual’s potential contributes to the ultimate improvement of society”.
Life Skills Coaching
Life Skills Coaching is a growing and needed para-professional field. The Canadian Alliance of Life Skills Coaches and Associations defines it as the ability: to facilitate groups, model and evaluate skills and support individualized learning … across Canada, almost all coach trainings find their theoretical base in the original Saskatchewan NewStart material.
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