LifeSkills 4 Adolescents

Teaching Life Skills to Adolescents: 

Teaching Life Skills to Adolescents Dr.C.S.N.Vittal Adolescent Pediatrician Associate Professor of Pediatrics NRI Medical College, China Kakani WHO def adolescents 10 -19 yrs

Adolescence: 

Adolescence Universal Features Onset of Puberty Emergence of advanced Cognitive abilities Biological Change Cognitive Change Self image, intimacy, Relations with adults & peers Emotional Change Transition in to new roles in society Social Change

Teenage Care IMPORTANCE BY SHEER NUMBER: 

Teenage Care IMPORTANCE BY SHEER NUMBER Teenagers are over 1 billion world over World over - 1 out of every 5 person Developing - 1 out of every 4 person Developed - 1 out of every 7 person Adolescents in the age group of 10-19 years constitute more than one-fifth of India’s population. By the year 2010 there will be more adolescents alive in the world than ever before Healthy and well-adjusted adolescents of today will become productive citizens and dynamic leaders of tomorrow. CSN Vittal

however, not all adolescents are healthy or well-adjusted …: 

however, not all adolescents are healthy or well-adjusted … Poor information and skills, lack of a safe and supportive environment, sexual activity at an early age and early pregnancy, substance abuse, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections threaten the health and lives of adolescents. adolescents, especially girls in the rural areas, are deprived of adequate and appropriate opportunities for education. CSN Vittal

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CSN Vittal

Life Skills - Definition: 

Life Skills - Definition Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life - (WHO) CSN Vittal

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Essential components of healthy development Life skills development can: delay the onset of drug use, prevent high risk sexual behaviors, teach anger management, improve academic performance, and promote positive social adjustment. CSN Vittal Why Life Skills? Why Life Skills? The main aim of life skill training is to make children perform to their potential in Whichever career they may choose. They should not only NOT HARM ANYONE but also ensure that NO HARM occurs to THEMSELVES

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CSN Vittal

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Self-Awareness Empathy Critical Thinking Creative Thinking Decision Making Problem solving Effective Communication Interpersonal Relationship Coping With Stress Coping With Emotions CSN Vittal c o r e l i f e s k i l s l

Some Training Methodologies / Tools: 

Some Training Methodologies / Tools • Group discussion • Role-play • Question box • Situation analysis & case studies • Games (indoor and outdoor) • Debate • Quiz contest • Demonstration • Brainstorming • Songs and poems • Visualization in Participatory Process ( VIPP) CSN Vittal These skills are to be imparted by participatory approach – not by didactic lectures.

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This skill enables adolescents to understand their own weaknesses and strengths. Being aware of the good points about oneself helps adolescents build a sense of self-esteem and self-confidence. Being aware of their weaknesses will make adolescents be willing to learn more. This also helps them utilize the opportunities available to them in relation to their abilities. Self Awareness Self Awareness CSN Vittal

Self awareness: 

Self awareness CSN Vittal Divide the group into 2s or 3s Let children draw this and fill in the windows In the first square they write 2 – 3 points about themselves In the 2 nd they write about their friend Let them compare the notes and fill in the lower squares after analyzing the points

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Ability to understand and accept others To put oneself in other person’s shoes Being nurturing and tolerant Encourages a positive behavior towards people in need or difficulty Empathy Empathy CSN Vittal

Empathy: 

Empathy “10 Things We Have in Common” game. Mix students up randomly into groups of four to six, and ask them to come up with a list of ten unexpected things they have in common. “mixed-up lunch”, Students were assigned to sit at lunch tables with kids they normally didn’t sit with, thus offering a wonderful opportunity for kids to get to know other kids unlike themselves in a relaxed setting. CSN Vittal

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Helps us to deal constructively with decisions about our lives. Enables adolescents to weigh the pros and cons of alternatives and choose the best option available and accept responsibility for the consequences of the decision. Decision Making Decision Making CSN Vittal

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…. is the ability to analyze information and experiences in an objective manner. It helps to recognize and assess the factors that influence our attitude and behaviour, such as media and peer pressure influences. Assists in developing responsible behavior. Critical Thinking Critical Thinking CSN Vittal

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Critical thinking CSN Vittal Are the horizontal lines parallel? If so why do they appear like that ? Optical Illusions

The secret of his energy …: 

The secret of his energy … - could it be a cup of some xyz beverage ??? Critical thinking CSN Vittal Life is full of real time illusions.

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Contributes to both problem solving and decision making by enabling us to explore the available alternatives and various consequences of our actions or lack of actions. Helps adolescents to respond adaptively and with flexibility to the daily life situations Creative Thinking Creative Thinking CSN Vittal

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Creative Thinking CSN Vittal

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The essential component of effective communication skills are listening and speaking skills. Body language is as important as spoken words and may even have more of an impact. It is important for adolescents to talk and share their views especially with their parents, elders and peers. Effective Communication Effective Communication CSN Vittal

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Smoking is hazardous to life Effective communication CSN Vittal Statement is good – but Bland…

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Effective communication CSN Vittal The picture conveys the message – more effectively!

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Ability to establish positive relationships. This help us to relate in positive ways with the people we interact with. Being able to make and keep friendly relationships with friends, parents and others. Also to accept breaks in relationships with a smile. Interpersonal Relationships Interpersonal Relationships CSN Vittal

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Body Language Effective communication CSN Vittal It is not always necessary to communicate verbally !

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Interpersonal Relationships CSN Vittal Lack of communication is the main perpetuator of child abuse

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…. involves recognizing emotions within us and others, recognizing the sources of stress in our lives, understanding how they affects us, and acting in ways that help to control our levels of stress. being able to respond appropriately. Coping with Stress & Emotions Coping with Stress & Emotions CSN Vittal

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Enables us to deal constructively with problems in our lives. Significant problems that are left unresolved can cause mental stress and give rise to accompanying physical strain. The process involves various steps. Requires clearly identifying the problem, exploring the available alternatives and deciding on the best possible solution. Problem Solving Problem Solving CSN Vittal

God!! Why are you not with me in the hour of my need ??: 

God!! Why are you not with me in the hour of my need ?? Son !!! There are no second pair of footsteps because I am carrying you in my arms ...

Story of Thirsty Crow: 

Story of Thirsty Crow Creative thinking / Problem solving CSN Vittal Best way to teach Life Skills to children is by examples from tales

Stories from Panchatantra: 

Stories from Panchatantra CSN Vittal

10 Ways to say ‘NO’: 

10 Ways to say ‘NO’ Persuader Decider Method ‘Can I get you a drink’ NO Thanks Polite refusal ‘How about a beer’ I don’t like beer Give reason ‘Here; smoke this joint for me.’ ‘Come on!’ ‘Just try it chicken’ NO Thanks NO Thanks NO Thanks Be firm ‘Hey! Do you want to buy some brown sugar?’ Say “No” and walk away after you say it. Walk away “Do you want to smoke” Keep going as if you did not hear the person (Not the best to use with friends). Cold shoulder ‘Come up stairs to my room’ “What did I just tell you?” “Were you listening?” “I am not comfortable doing this. It makes me unhappy” CSN Vittal If you know of people or situations where people will pressurize you to do things you don’t want to do, then stay away from these situations.

Conclusion: 

Life skill management for adolescents is the need of the day Life skills can be learnt/enhanced throughout our life. Many life skills are used in combination in dealing with certain situations. • Rehearsing the use of life skills in simple situations makes it easy for utilizing them in complex situations also. Parents/teachers/significant others like Family Physicians – act as role models for adolescents from whom they learn their life skills. Conclusion CSN Vittal

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C.S.N. Vittal Than Q