Life skills education introduces learner-centred and interactive teaching methods which can have a positive impact on: • the relationships between teachers and pupils. • young people’s enjoyment of learning. • teacher’s job satisfaction. • rates of drop out and absenteeism from school. 

Life skills go well with the ethics of a teacher and wilt brings serenity to schools. Mind in the Making shows what professionals, parents and caregivers can do—starting today—to strengthen the critical executive function skills in children. They aren’t the kinds of skills that children just pick up; these skills can be fostered to help children and the adults in their lives.

Executive function refers to the processes that involve managing thoughts, actions and emotions to achieve goals. The skills make it possible to consider alternative perspectives and respond to changing circumstances (cognitive flexibility), to keep information in one’s mind so it can be used (working memory), and to resist automatic and impulsive behavior (inhibitory control) so one can engage in goal-directed reasoning and problem solving.

Higher executive function skills have been linked to success in school and life—health and wealth in adulthood—and have been shown to be even more important than IQ for future success. While science tells us that developing these skills is critical in the youngest years, they can be developed throughout life: it’s never too late!