School Programs

Life Skills

Life skills are the most important transferable skills for adding value and meaning to the lives of children. Their lives will be more rewarding and productive if they can acquire important life skills from their learning activities. Some of the basic life skills required for living independent and productive lives include daily living, social, personal, and occupational skills.

Daily living skills include grooming, table manners, cooking, using money, buying things in a store, and paying bills. These kinds of daily living activities can be taught by the parents at home and by teachers in school. In school, role-playing shops may be set up, allowing teachers to give children hands-on instruction on how to buy things. Teachers can also show children how to locate the lowest-priced item and the highest-priced item, determining the difference between the two. In this way, both parents and teachers can help pupils to learn how to handle some daily living tasks independently.

Social skills include interaction with peers in the classroom as well as with others in society. Pupils are given adequate instruction concerning their behaviour in society. They are taught proper behaviour in public places, such as at parties, in banks, in a shop, and at a restaurant. Acquiring these skills may eventually help them to gain occupational opportunities in society.

It is very important for our pupils to develop independence and become productive in both their personal and public lives. When possible, teachers arrange the curriculum according to the unique desires and interests of different pupils. Occupational skills, such as sewing, playing music, and preparing and serving food, may be covered. Occupational skills are necessary to earn money and enjoy independent living.

The practical experiences pupils have while trying out new things, applying their understanding to various tasks, and practicing their skills solidify learning. Knowledge gained may be of no use if the pupil does not know how to apply it or make use of it. Hands-on opportunities and continuing practice help to make the pupil's life more productive.

It is important to remind pupils and parents that what they are learning will be useful in their lives, encouraging them to sustain all their efforts until they reach their learning goals. The outcome of learning should then be the development of lifelong skills.