I recently attended the Next Stage launch at Sri Swami Vivekananda University’s Department of Career Development, a much-needed initiative because let’s be honest—our education system teaches trigonometry but not how to handle workplace conflicts. We get degrees, but when life throws real exams—decision-making, resilience, emotional intelligence—we panic like students who forgot there was a test.
The truth? Life skills matter more than marks. And yet, they’re rarely taught. Here are seven skills every child should learn—at home, in school, and in life:
1. Decision-Making: Stop Raising “Google It” Kids
Most kids don’t make real decisions—parents do it for them. Then suddenly at 18, they’re expected to choose a career, manage money, or even pick a life partner. No wonder half of us feel lost!
Start small. Let kids decide what’s for dinner. Let them budget their pocket money. If they mess up, great! Better they learn consequences on pizza toppings than on a major life decision.
2. Conflict Management: Life is Not a Bollywood Movie
Many kids are kept out of arguments, growing up thinking conflict is a bad thing. Then, as adults, they either explode or shut down when disagreements happen.
Teach them to debate respectfully, negotiate solutions, and understand different perspectives. Otherwise, they’ll think “ghosting” is the only way to handle disagreements.
3. Emotional Intelligence: Degrees Don’t Save You From Meltdowns
IQ gets you a job. EQ (Emotional Intelligence) helps you keep it. But do we teach kids how to handle emotions? Nope. “Stop crying” and “Go to your room” is not emotional education.
Imagine if schools actually taught stress management, handling failure, and self-awareness instead of ignoring emotions like they’re spam emails.
4. Resilience: Life Won’t Give You a Participation Trophy
Kids who never face challenges grow into adults who quit at the first sign of difficulty. Lost a game? Don’t bribe them with chocolate. Failed a test? Teach them to try again.
Resilience is built when we fail, adapt, and keep going. It’s the difference between “I’ll try again” and “I give up.”
5. Financial Literacy: Because “Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees” is Not a Lesson
Schools teach calculus but not how to budget a salary. So, people enter adulthood knowing how to solve for X but not how to file taxes.
Teach kids to save, budget, and understand money early. Otherwise, their first salary will disappear into Starbucks and online shopping before they realize rent is due.
6. Communication: WhatsApp Emojis Don’t Count
Public speaking, writing emails, negotiating—these skills determine success. But instead of learning them, kids spend time writing essays on “The Cow.”
Encourage debates, storytelling, and self-expression at home. If kids can’t speak up for themselves, the world will speak over them.
7. Work-Life Balance: Burnout is Not a Trophy
If kids see parents constantly overworking and exhausted, they assume that’s normal. Teach them that:
✔ Success is great, but so is happiness.
✔ Hard work matters, but so does self-care.
✔ You can chase dreams without chasing burnout.
⸻
The Bottom Line
Life skills aren’t “extra” subjects—they’re the foundation of success. Schools need to integrate them into education, and parents need to actively teach them instead of hoping kids will “figure it out.”
If we do this right, the next generation won’t just have degrees—they’ll have the strength, wisdom, and resilience to truly succeed.
So tell me—what’s one life skill you wish schools taught? Let’s start the conversation.
