Life skills development encompasses a range of abilities required for daily living, including communication, problem-solving, decision-making, time management, and interpersonal skills. Life skills development programs aim to fully equip individuals with the practical abilities necessary for successful and independent living.
Some examples of life skills that can be developed include cooking, managing finances, planning and navigating transportation, managing daily routines, understanding social cues, practicing mindfulness, and even organising entry into tertiary education. Mastering these skills will ultimately enable and empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives and contribute positively to society, however it is important to provide ongoing support, encouragement, and access to resources to help individuals build and maintain these skills over time.
Around 1 in 5 Australian adults lack the basic literacy, numeracy, and digital skills to participate fully in work and life. (Ministers' Media Centre).
Developing life skills has been found to promote positive mental health, strengthen coping mechanisms, and develop individuals' self-confidence in their abilities and empathy. (National Library of Medicine).
The Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) found that in addition to the 10 activities associated with daily living - self-care, mobility, communication, cognitive or emotional tasks, health care, reading or writing tasks, transport, household chores, property maintenance, and meal preparation - as a result of disability, individuals may also experience restriction or difficulty with schooling and employment. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare).
