ESSENTIAL

LIFE SKILLS
FOR YOUTH
Anagha Jose
 COMMUNICATION
SKILLS
• Effective communication skills are the foundation of
building meaningful relationships and fostering
understanding.
• This is important for both personal and professional
settings.
• Youth who develops strong communication skills can
more confidently express their thoughts, listen
attentively, and convey their ideas with clarity.
• This in turn enables them to form positive
connections with those around them and helps them
succeed in various spheres of life.

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 TIPS TO DEVELOP
COMMUNICATION
SKILLS
• Practice active listening: Paying attention and actively engaging
with others demonstrates that their opinions are valued and can
help build stronger relationships.
• Use clear and concise language: Using jargon or overly
complex language can confuse the listener. Speak in clear,
simple terms that are easy to understand.
• Ask for feedback: Soliciting feedback from others, especially
trusted mentors and peers, can help identify areas for
improvement in their communication skills. It is important to be
open to constructive criticism and use it to improve the
communication style.

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 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
SKILLS

• Financial literacy is another crucial life

skill- knowledge to make informed
decisions about their money.
• By understanding budgeting, saving,
investing, and avoiding debt, youth can
develop healthy financial habits and lay a
solid foundation for their future financial
well-being.
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 TIPS FOR MANAGING
MONEY

• Create a budget: Determine how much

money is coming in and how much is going
out each month, allocate funds accordingly
and make the most of each penny earned
• Save for the future: start putting money
aside in a savings account to prepare for
unexpected expenses or to work towards
larger financial goals.

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 TIME
MANAGEMENT
SKILLS
• The ability to manage time effectively is a skill
that not only enhances productivity but also
reduces stress.
• It enables youth to achieve a healthy work-life
balance
• By mastering time management techniques,
youth can better prioritize their tasks, set realistic
goals, and make the most of their time.

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 TIPS TO MANAGE
TIME
EFFECTIVELY
• Set clear goals: identify what they want to accomplish and then
break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Having clear
and attainable goals with a plan to reach them drastically increases
the chances of success.
• Prioritize tasks: decide which tasks are most important. This
allows them to focus their time and energy on those first.
• Avoid distractions: Minimizing interruptions and distractions by
turning off their phone, closing unnecessary tabs on the computer,
and finding a quiet space to work helps make the most of the time
they have available.

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 DECISION-
MAKING SKILLS

• The capacity to make sound decisions is

essential for youth as they face an array of
choices that impact their personal, academic,
and professional lives.
• By learning critical thinking, weighing pros
and cons, considering consequences, and
trusting their instincts, youth can develop
confident decision-making skills that
empower them to make choices aligned with
their values and aspirations.
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 TIPS TO MAKE
EFFECTIVE
DECISIONS
• Understand potential outcomes and consequences: Explain the
necessity of considering both the short-term and long-term effects
of their decisions. They should evaluate the potential risks and
benefits before making a decision.
• Gather information: make informed decisions by gathering
relevant information from multiple sources. This can include
searching online, consulting with experts, or seeking advice from
trusted friends and family members.
• Evaluate alternatives: consider multiple options and weigh the
pros and cons of each before making a decision. Youth can learn to
avoid making impulsive decisions and take time to think through all
possible choices.

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 PROBLEM-
SOLVING SKILLS
• Life is filled with challenges, and the ability
to approach problems with a solution-
oriented mindset is invaluable.
• By nurturing problem-solving skills, youth
learn to analyze issues, brainstorm creative
solutions, and persevere in the face of
obstacles, enabling them to overcome
hurdles and adapt to changing
circumstances.

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TIPS FOR TEENS TO
DEVELOP PROBLEM-
SOLVING SKILLS
• Practice active listening: Just as listening is the first step in effective
communication, it is essential for problem-solving skills. To be active
listeners, youth must listen to others with the intention of
understanding their perspectives. This can help them better
understand the problem at hand and identify potential solutions.
• Break down the problem: Breaking different problems down into
smaller, more manageable parts can make the problem seem less
daunting and help identify possible solutions more effectively.
• Think creatively: think outside the box and consider non-traditional
solutions to problems. This can involve brainstorming, considering
different perspectives, and being open to new ideas.

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 LEADERSHIP
SKILLS
• Leadership skills empower youth to guide
others, take initiative on projects, and make
positive contributions to their communities.
• Many of the other life skills for youth play a
role in developing leadership skills,
including effective communication and
decision-making skills.
• Developing these and other leadership
qualities enhances their ability to influence
and lead others.
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 TIPS FOR DEVELOPING
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
• Get involved in extracurricular activities: Joining clubs, sports
teams, or volunteer groups is a great way for youth to develop
leadership skills. They can practice leading different group
activities, collaborating with their peers, and delegating
responsibilities to team members.
• Take on responsibility: Empower youth to take on more
responsibility at home or school. They may choose to take charge
of a project or task they are interested in, which helps build
confidence and develop decision-making skills.
• Practice effective communication: Good leaders know how to
communicate their ideas clearly and listen to others. practice
communication skills by engaging in conversations with adults,
peers, and even younger children. They can also practice public
speaking by presenting in front of a group.

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INTERPERSONAL
SKILLS
• The ability to build and maintain healthy
relationships is crucial in all aspects of life.
• Developing interpersonal skills allows youth
to become empathetic communicators,
resolve conflicts peacefully, and collaborate
effectively.
• This fosters positive connections and
allows to create a supportive network
around them.

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 TIPS TO DEVELOP
INTERPERSONAL
SKILLS
• Practice active listening: Encourage to actively listen to others and
pay attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues. This involves making
eye contact, nodding in agreement, and asking relevant questions.
• Participate in group activities: Group activities like team sports,
volunteering, or club memberships help develop social skills and learn
how to work effectively with others. It allows them to practice problem-
solving, communication, and conflict-resolution skills in a supportive
environment.
• Role-play scenarios: Assist youth to role-play different social
scenarios to help them develop better communication skills. This could
include practicing how to introduce themselves, how to ask questions,
or how to handle conflict. Role-playing builds confidence and develops
the ability to handle real-life social situations more effectively.
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 SELF-CARE
SKILLS
• prioritizing self-care is fundamental to
maintaining physical, emotional, and mental
well-being.
• youth can nurture their overall health and
resilience by learning to manage stress,
practice self-compassion, engage in healthy
habits, and seek support when needed.
• All of this ensures that they are better
equipped to face life’s challenges with
confidence.
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 TIPS FOR PRACTICING
SELF-CARE

• Take personal time: Youth need to carve out alone time to

recharge their batteries. Whether that means reading a book,
taking a bath, or going for a walk, they should find an activity that
helps them relax and then make it a regular part of their routine.
• Get enough sleep: Sleep is essential for both physical and mental
health. Aim for at least eight hours of sleep each night. Establishing
a consistent sleep schedule can help regulate the body’s internal
clock.
• Stay active: Regular physical activity not only keeps youth fit but
also has mental health benefits. They can find an activity that they
enjoy — whether that is playing a sport, dancing, or going for a run
— and make it a part of their weekly routine

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 GOAL-SETTING
SKILLS
• Setting goals gives a sense of direction
and purpose.
• It helps develop self-discipline,
motivation, and a sense of
accomplishment when learning to set
realistic and attainable goals.
• Goal setting enables youth to chart a
path toward their aspirations and helps
them stay focused and motivated along
the way. 18
 TIPS FOR SETTING AND
ACHIEVING GOALS
• Set specific and measurable goals: It is important for
youth to have a clear understanding of what they want to
achieve and how they will measure their success. Remind
them to break down large goals into smaller milestones to
track progress.
• Create a plan of action: Once goals are identified, youth
should create a plan of action that includes specific steps
and a timeline. This can help them stay focused and
motivated as they work towards their goals.
• Stay accountable: Hold accountablility for goals by
checking in regularly and urging them to track progress.
Celebrate successes along the way and learn from any
setbacks. 19
THANK YOU