User talk:Wainaina n j

LIFE SKILLS AND VALUES Defn.: Are an acquired ability, practiced and mastered to overcome the day-to-day challenges of life. They help young people identify goals and build good relationships and healthy future. Categories •	There are three categories:

–	I. Skills for dealing and coping with       oneself –	II. Skills for dealing and coping with others –	III. Skills for making effective decisions

Skills for dealing and coping with oneself 	Skills for dealing and coping with others	Skills for making effective decisions Self awareness 	Interpersonal relationships	Critical thinking Self esteem 	Friendship formation	Creative thinking Coping with emotions 	Conflict resolution	Decision making Coping with stress 	Empathy	Problem solving Goal setting 	Effective communication Time management 	Resisting peer pressure / assertiveness Negotiation Categories of life skills… •	Self-awareness –	This is the ability to understand who you are, your strengths and weakness. It enables one to work on his /her weakness and build on his / her strengths. It helps people to accept corrections. •	Critical thinking –	This is the ability of analysing a situation and give your own opinion even if it differs from others. It helps young people make their own personal decisions •	Self esteem –	Self-esteem is a word used to describe how people feel about themselves. How people feel about themselves influences their actions towards others and what they can accomplish in life. Ways to improve self-esteem •	Not comparing yourself with others •	Recognizing your special talents and appreciating yourself •	Thinking about the kind of person you are and making a list of your best qualities •	Being aware of the things you would like to improve about yourself, but not being overly self-critical •	Being realistic •	Believing in yourself •	Spending time with people who care for you •	Staying away from people who damage your self-esteem

Factors that lower self esteem •	Discouragement •	Academic qualifications •	Lack of recognition •	Lack of achievements •	Names •	Refusal to accept praise •	Giving others chance to give their opinions first. •	Failure to stand up for ones rights Assertiveness

•	Being assertive means standing up for yourself and being honest with yourself and other people about what you need and want, even if other people think otherwise

Rules of Assertiveness

•	Decide what you feel or want and say it •	Maintain eye contact •	Do not make excuses •	Do not seek approval from others •	Do not get confused by the other person’s argument •	Remember you have a right to change your mind

Passiveness, Assertiveness and Aggressiveness Decision Making •	A decision is a choice that we make between two or more possible courses of action Steps for good decision-making •	Describe the problem, situation and or issues •	Get more information if you have questions about the situation •	Think about the possible consequences or outcomes of each course of action •	Think about your personal and family values •	Think about the ways in which your decision may affect other people •	Choose the decision that seems most appropriate •	Re-think the decision and how you feel about it The acronym DECIDE. D – Describe the problem in your own words E – Explore the available options C – Choose the best option that fits you I – Identify the advantages and disadvantages of the option you have chosen D – Do it if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages E – Evaluate whether your option is working. If not go back to “E”

Three C’s for Decision Making •	CHALLENGE	 Describe the CHALLENGE (or decision) you have •	CHOICES		 List at least three CHOICES you have •	CONSEQUENCES	Consider the positive and negative CONSEQUENCES of each choice