Categories of life skills

In order to make good use of life skills we need to understand their categories. There are three main categories of life skills as described below:

(a) Cognitive skills: These are mental skills that include problem solving, decision making and critical thinking. They focus on enabling people to evaluate the present and future consequences of their actions and those around them. This skills also enable a person to organised and analyse data and information.

(b) Intrapersonal skills (self-management skills): These are skills that aim to increase the internal control so that the individual believes that they can make or influence changes. Self-management skills include self-esteem, self-awareness, self-evaluation and the ability to set goals. They determine the potential of the individual’s ability to handle emotions, stress sorrow and anxiety.

(c) Interpersonal skills: These are skills that enable a person to live with others peacefully. They include: empathy, effective communication, the ability to negotiate, to overcome negative peer pressure and express feelings or opinions. These skills are developed as a result of accepting social norms that determine adult social behaviour. Thus, developing and promoting interpersonal skills enable people to be good community members.