Life Skills Topics for Youth

Facilitating life skills sessions for youth can be extremely beneficial for all parties involved. It is not only important for preteens and teenagers to become informed about prevalent issues such as dating, life skills facilitators will also have an increasingly better understanding about the issues young adults face from this firsthand knowledge.

Dating and Sexuality

Discussing the options for protecting oneself from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as outlining what youths should and should not find acceptable in dating relationships are two key life skills topics.

Body Image

With the myriad changes happening both outside and within, it is important for teenagers to be open about sharing their experiences with physical maturation. Open communication may help many teens realize that they are not alone in their discomfort or even dislike of the way their bodies are changing.

Future Goals

Setting short and long-term goals will help youths begin to focus on what they want in their personal and professional lives as adults. The ongoing discussion about future goals is also a great way of reminding teenagers how their present actions both good and bad may affect their chances of fulfilling them.

Self-Esteem and Peer Pressure

The ability to successfully resist peer pressure is deeply connected with self-esteem. Encouraging youth to build self-esteem through engagement in activities they excel in and enjoy (such as sports, arts or theater) is a great way to help them build confidence.

Substance Issues

Tackling the issues of underage drinking, substance abuse and possible criminal penalties is one that should be done open and honestly. Open discussions by presenting cases of real teenagers whose lives suffered as a result of these problems.

Resources

• National life skills programs for youths
• Life skills curriculums and resources for facilitators