As and when kids discover and practice a new activity it becomes part of their skill set. This is a continuous process that goes on with the pace of life and is referred to as skill development. The word ‘Skill Development or Skill Enhancement’ has been elaborated and explored a lot in recent years, which has become inclusive of not just skills but also children’s talents and passions. 

Children spend most of their formative years acquiring knowledge through theories, books and lectures, much like what continues to happen in schools and colleges. However, the formative years of a child are the most important. And these are the years they can develop skills that will help them become better and stronger individuals. 

As adolescents are growing up in a transforming world, wherein technology, migration, climate change and conflicts are constantly reshaping our society and forcing people across the globe to adapt to unexpected changes in their lives and work. Adolescents’ developmental domains are intertwined and are greatly influenced by experiences and environments.  Thus, enduring them with these following skills at an early age would be  beneficial, as they continue learning into their middle school and high school years. And eventually as adults, they would be able to live through the skills they have learnt. 

• Early Maths Skills: Maths skills are just one part of a larger web of skills that children are developing in the early years—including language skills, physical skills, and social skills. Each of these skill areas is dependent on and influences the others. While emphasising more on writing, learning letters, and word identification as part of kindergarten readiness, little or no attention to number sense and basic maths concepts. Kids who do well in maths early on tend to do very well in school and end up doing well in the labour market. Thus, developing a mentally organised way of thinking is critical. For example, focussing on numbers and operations, patterns, measuring, shape and space.

• Digital skills: As we approach 2030, developing digital skills has become critical to professional success. These skills include conducting internet research, online communication via email or instant messaging, the use of professional online platforms, and knowledge of digital financial services.It is estimated that tens of millions of future jobs will require far more advanced digital skills, including coding, software and app development, network management, machine learning, Big Data analysis etc. For young people to engage meaningfully in society, youth must be equipped with the skills and opportunities to advance their vision of a connected future.

• Creativity: Surges in creative thinking provides children with the largest learning capacity that they will experience across the age span. Not only can children use symbols, they would be able to manipulate them abstractly, apply reason and logic, and formulate and test hypotheses independently. With the help of creative thinking, children are capable of problem-solving in creative ways that will drive their own discoveries and their skills. It also encourages them to experiment, think differently, and become more observant. 

• Early Writing Skills: Writing skills trains children to consider various viewpoints and to argue their own ideas critically and skillfully. Since most essay writing starts with “brainstorming,” an approach that fosters creative thinking and innovation. Enhancing writing skills will aid young students in developing their overall communication skills, including the expression of their own opinions, and taking creative and unusual perspectives. Putting thoughts to words on paper (or screen) helps teens, and adults, better synthesise, understand, and retain information. 

• Social-Communication Skills: Social skills are the skills we use everyday to interact and communicate with others. They include verbal and non-verbal communication, such as maintaining humour, sarcasm, idioms and Figurative Language. Using Voice appropriately at the situation; Loudness and Expression, understanding peer pressure, use of eye contact, understanding and using facial expressions and gestures. Being a good listener, identifying and managing emotions, Perspective taking others into consideration, self-awareness and perceptions: appearance, hygiene, posture, safety of self and others.

• Reading Skills: Recognition and understanding of words and sounds, motivates the reading readiness among the kids.  Reading is the most important skill students can acquire in school; it is tied to success in all other academic areas. Unfortunately, the vast majority of upper elementary, middle school, and high school students find it difficult to read grade-level or higher text with ease and understanding. With the help of enhanced reading skills, children are able to imagine the characters,  it gives them the opportunity to explore and understand other people’s emotions and perspectives. It provides them social capital, offering opportunities to develop network friendships and contribute to discussions.  It also enhances their imagination, helps them learn about the world along with intellectual pleasure. 

• Self-Help Skills: Adolescence period is the most problematic stage of transition from childhood to adulthood and go through various physical, social, and emotional changes . Self-help skills make them more confident, independent. It assists teenagers to develop social skills as well as problem solving ability which ultimately help them to shape their own particular personality. Self-help skills are necessary for promotion of self-esteem, peace and self confidence and self-realisations. It prevents them from  anti-social activities and behaviour. Life skills are needed for adolescents to be able to explore the alternatives. It helps them make rational decisions in their life. 

• Yoga Skills:Yoga is not just for adults! In fact, it can give children very important life skills that can help them succeed in the world. Works on holistic development of the children, helps them to maintain physical, mental and emotional balance.Yoga helps children manage their anxiety. It improves children’s emotional regulation. Perfecting a pose or improving their balance and flexibility can give young children a sense of personal empowerment.It increases children’s body awareness and mindfulness. Yoga teaches discipline and reduces impulsivity.