What Are the Objectives & Goals for Teaching Life Skills to Teens?

Teens on the verge of becoming adults often experience difficulty transitioning through the various stages necessary to function in the grown-up world. Learning life skills is a way in which they can become more competent and capable in their future endeavors as functional adults. Life skills might be taught online, in school or at home, and can include money management, career choices, social skills and general decision-making.

  1. Making Choices

    • Part of preparing for adulthood is making choices, and teens need practice in this area to become proficient. Teens who receive explicit but restricted choices develop the ability to make decisions for themselves while allowing them to experience the consequences of their actions. Choices that have the potential for successful outcomes will encourage teens to develop competent choice-making skills.

    Foster Responsibility

    • Giving kids responsibilities throughout their teen years will foster habits that mold teens into more responsible adults. Teens might care for a pet, perform household chores or work outside the home. This translates into paying the bills and being responsible for a car or home in adult life.

    Encourage Independence

    • Giving teens breathing room will help them develop a sense of independence that enables the transition into adulthood where they are less dependent on others for their financial or other needs. Increasing freedoms such as staying out later or choosing friends can help teens develop a sense of independence.

    Critical Thinking

    • Teens who have to work out problems for themselves are more likely to develop the critical thinking skills required to solve problems as adults. Critical thinking involves looking at a problem objectively and with an open mind. Teens can use prior knowledge, personal opinion and analytical thought processes to help them develop problem-solving skills. Engaging teens in political or philosophical discussions can help them develop the critical thinking skills they need to succeed in adulthood as well.

    Setting Goals

    • Goal setting is an important skill when teens are transitioning into adult life. Teens might learn to set goals for grades at school, athletic pursuits or saving money. These activities will prepare them for adult activities they will likely encounter in their career, financial or future academic pursuits.

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