Final answer:
Life skills refer to a set of abilities that enable individuals to handle daily challenges effectively. They encompass various competencies such as decision-making, critical thinking, and communication, which are important for personal development and mental health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of Life Skills
Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behavior that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life. In essence, they are a set of basic skills acquired through learning or direct life experience that enable individuals to handle issues and problems commonly encountered in daily life. Examples of life skills include decision-making, problem-solving, critical thinking, effective communication, interpersonal skills, self-awareness, empathy, and coping with emotions and stress.
Life skills are crucial for personal development, mental health, and well-being, making it possible for people to take full advantage of opportunities and live a fulfilling life. They are particularly important during the formative years in school which is why they are often integrated into the school curriculum. Educators aim to prepare students not only academically but also for the realities they will face once they leave the school environment. The acquisition and refinement of life skills can benefit individuals throughout their lives, making it a lifelong learning process.