One of the important building blocks of afterschool instruction is to help students develop life skills. But what does that really mean?

The World Health Organization defines life skills as “abilities for adaptive and positive behavior that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life.” The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UNICEF offer us a framework for  life skills instruction in four categories:  1) Learning to Know—knowledge and critical thinking, 2) Learning to Do—practical skills, 3) Learning to Be—personal skills, and 4) Learning to Live Together—social skills.