5 Life Skills For Teenagers

What should we teach our children? Which fundamental life skills  will remain relevant for the next 15-20 years? Where should we begin? These questions are of great interest to parents of teenagers who are faced with the task of choosing a career path. However, career guidance is just the tip of the iceberg. Preparing for a successful career should start well before selecting a profession. In essence, the specific course of action is not crucial. By teaching your child the right skills, they can succeed in any field. So, what are these life skills for teenagers?

Checklist of life skills for teenagers

During a forum dedicated to the future, Israeli historian and professor Yuval Harari shared a comprehensive interview on what life skills are essential for teenagers.

He expands on these ideas in his book "21 Lessons for the 21st Century."

The underlying concept is that we live in an uncertain, complex, and unpredictable world. As a result, it becomes challenging to determine what we should prepare our children for. Narrow thinking and attempting to create a list of future professions is futile, as there is always the possibility of miscalculations.

Harari takes a broader perspective on preparing children for their professional lives and outlines five life skills for young adults that will foster success in any field.

1. Lifelong learning

The most valuable life skill for teenagers that will benefit them in the future is the ability to learn. In the past, individuals would acquire a set of skills and then utilize them throughout their careers, accumulating personal and professional experience.

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However, the landscape has drastically changed. Harari argues that it is impossible to predict what will be relevant in 20 years. Consequently, it is impossible to learn today and expect to remain in demand tomorrow. If you want to be sought after today, you must study today. If you want to be sought after in the future, you must continue learning then as well. The key element in this equation is the ability to learn, to find the necessary information, to regularly update existing knowledge, and to acquire new skills.

2. Resilience

Another vital life skill for young adults is the ability to bounce back from life's challenges. Being resilient in the face of adversity is a valuable trait for individuals of the future. Harari highlights that the modern educational system often neglects teaching individuals how to cope with failures, which are inevitable in life. Teachers tend to focus on achievements and success while overlooking the fact that setbacks and temporary difficulties are inherent in any form of progress.

How a person deals with failure reveals their character. Some persevere despite setbacks, while others briefly reflect on their failures but eventually gather themselves and continue working towards their goals. Yet, some individuals become resentful and lose control. Teaching children how to handle defeat from an early age is crucial.

3. Stress management

The issue of chronic stress has reached unprecedented levels. In addition to the usual causes of anxiety, individuals now experience heightened tension and fear due to constant surveillance. The development of monitoring systems has made it nearly impossible to find solitude and relaxation. Therefore, mental endurance has become a significant personal asset.

To achieve mental endurance, healthy methods of relieving accumulated stress must be practiced. Engaging in hobbies, sports, yoga, meditation, outdoor activities, and other similar endeavors cultivate a culture of leisure and relaxation that should be taught to children. These are important foundational life skills for teenagers. Otherwise, there is a risk of becoming part of the "unproductive" population—those who seek solace in alcohol or drugs and remain outside active professional lives.

Also: How To Deal With Teenage Daughter: Tips For Parents

4. Intellectual adaptability and resourcefulness

The ability to quickly find solutions in seemingly challenging situations holds great value. Such individuals are highly sought after by employers, often occupying significant roles, rapidly gaining relevant experience, and even venturing into entrepreneurship.

However, the capacity to adapt and act swiftly is not inherent; it is acquired through persistent training of intellectual abilities and emotional intelligence. The flexibility of the mind is developed much like the flexibility of the body. Additionally, the ability to perceive others' emotions to predict their behavior is honed through exploring one's own feelings. This is a crucial life skill for young adults.

Also: 5 Effective Strategies to Help a Child with Low Self-Esteem

5. Four areas of education

Harari raises the challenging topic of transforming the traditional education system. We are all aware of how inflexible and resistant to change this realm can be, even though it should be the opposite. What should we teach children if not practical and relevant knowledge? Theoretical encyclopedic information that is rarely used in real life?

Children who will shape the future must possess critical thinking skills—to distinguish truth from falsehood, sincere intentions from manipulation, and the important from the trivial. Their self-realization and skill exchange should be cultivated through effective communication. Professional growth and the achievement of goals should be attained through mutually beneficial cooperation. The best way for children to express themselves is through creativity. They should be shown the breadth of their abilities and the positive impact the creative process has on individuals.

Yuval Harari's advice on life skills for young adults is progressive, universal, and can be applied at any age. These skills should be taught not only to children but also to ourselves. The main requirement is motivation and an understanding of the necessity to take action in the present for a prosperous and successful future.