LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION – CBC GRADE 7 FREE NOTES

PERSONAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Self-Awareness

This is the ability to recognize your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, interests, abilities, limitations and strengths.

The Five Dimensions of Human Beings

• Physical dimension
• Spiritual dimension
• Psychological dimension
• Economic dimension
• Social dimension

Physical Dimension

Everyone has certain physical characteristics. Do you agree, dear learner? Think about it. How would you describe your dad? Is it different from how you would describe your uncle? Is it different from how you would describe the current President?

Everyone has a different height, weight, skin colour, body size and sexual maturity.

This also involves the physical changes that occur in adolescent girls and boys. In girls, their breast increase in size, their hips widen and they begin to get their monthly period. What happens in boys during puberty? Type it out in the comment section!

Spiritual Dimension

These are the spiritual beliefs that we hold and that make us do what we do or make us refuse to do certain things. We should respect other people’s religions.

Psychological Dimension

This is how people think, not only about certain topics but also about themselves and others.

It includes:-

• What is your identity
• High level of curiousity
• Thinking and reflecting on certain issues – in your personal life, about the community, etc

Economic Dimension

This is how people view themselves depending on their economic status – family background. One’s family economic background should not prevent you from achieving your goals. We should not look down on other people because of their family background.

Social Dimension

Everyone can be identified by a family, whether biological or adopted. We all have friends, come from certain ethnic communities. We should be able to relate well with all people, irrespective of which ethnic community they come from.

Personal Talents and Abilities

This is a natural ability that makes someone good at something. You are born with a certain talent. You were not trained on it. What is your talent, dear learner? Is it singing? Is it drawing?

Other abilities are learned. People learn how to be architects, engineers, web designers, coders, cooks, hairdressers, etc.

Contemporary Challenges Related To Self-Improvement

They include:-

• Drug abuse
• Domestic abuse at home.
• Poverty
• Parental neglect
• Female genital mutilation
• Insecurity

Dealing With The Above Challenges

• Avoiding drug abuse. The negative effects of drug abuse include depression, mental confusion, abdominal issues, dental issues, etc.
• Reporting violent incidents to the authorities or to a trusted adult.

Self-Esteem

This is how we feel about ourselves and how much we value ourselves. Some people have a high self-esteem while others have low self-esteem.

High self-esteem is characterized by one feeling good about themselves understanding your strengths and weaknesses and not needing people to always tell you how good you are.

Low self-esteem is charaterized by having a negative view of yourself and not being confident in yourself, your abilities and skills, and being insecure.

Self-esteem is influenced by:-

• Experiences at home, school or in the community.
• Body image.
• How you perform academically in school.
• Family environment.
• Societal factors, for example, negative ideas about a certain tribe.

How Can You Improve Your Self-Esteem?

• Accept who you are; your strengths as well as your weaknesses. Are there areas you can improve? Then work on them and don’t beat yourself about them.
• Set SMART goals and meet them. Do you remember what smart goals are? Type it out in the comments!
• Learn from your mistakes and do better.
• Get a mentor or someone who can support you.

Signs of High Self-Esteem

• Celebrating your friend’s successes.
• Being able to speak up for yourself.
• Seeing challenges as opportunities to learn.
• Being responsible

Managing Emotions

This is coping with your feelings. It means understanding and keeping your emotions in check. If emotions are not kept in check they can overpower you, leading you to make silly mistakes.

Types of Emotions

Strong feelings of unhappiness or sadness when something happens to you.

Strong feelings of happiness or joy when good things happen to you, for example, when you pass an exam.

Strong feelings of regret.

• Emotions can be responded to in a positive or negative way. Learning to regulate your emotions will lead to emotional well-being.

Ways of Managing Emotions Positively

• Sharing your excitement at the right place and time.
• Breathing in and out when you are upset.
• Talking to a trusted friend when you feel overwhelmed.
• Taking note of the thoughts in your head and changing negative ones to positive.

Effects of Negative Emotions

• Poor relationships
• Low self-esteem
• Poor academic performance
• Lifestyle diseases.

When you manage your emotions positively, you’ll have a peaceful co-existence in the community.

Managing Stress

Stress is a person’s response to a psychological, emotional or physical distress that brings about a lot of pressure on the individual. Stress can be mental, physical or social.

Stress can be caused by

• Death of a loved one.
• Changes brought about by adolescence.
• Interpersonal relationships
• Peer pressure.
• Physical and emotional abuse
• Sickness
• Lack of basic needs.

Stress affects our physical and mental health, education, career, economic, family, etc.

Effects Of Stress

1. It brings about digestion problems.
2. Can lead to anxiety and depression which can affect one’s academic performance.
3. Poor concentration in class.
4. Can lead to a lack of interest in activities that were previously interesting.

How To Manage Stressful Situations In Life

• Set realistic goals. Goals that are time-based and can be achieved; not impossible.
• Manage your time well and do not allow unnecessary distractions.
• Resist peer pressure.
• Know your strengths and weaknesses well. Understand your capabilities and limitations.
• Think before you leap. Think through your actions.

COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING

A community is a group of individuals who live in the same area and have similar interests, e.g, village, school, estate and religion.

Community service is work that is done to benefit others and it is unpaid. It usually solves social problems that are affecting the community.

Community Service Learning

This is where learners use the knowledge they have acquired to perform activities that develop their communities.

When Carrying Out Community Projects:-

• identify the problems in the community.
• design solutions to those problems.
• come up with a plan on how to solve those problems.
• implement the solution to the problems.
• report on the project accomplished.

Identifying The Problem

Here, a lot of research and discussions are done to find out what the problem is.

Designing Solutions

Here, possible solutions are written down or recorded.

Planning

Here, duties and responsibilities are shared among the people who have come up with a solution to the problem. Other members of the community are also involved.

Implementation

It all comes together here as people agree on what action needs to be taken.

Report

Here, results are reviewed and a report written on the project.

Importance Of Participating In community servie

• People in the community are encouraged to become responsible citizens.
• Peace and unity is promoted in the community.
• Problems in the community can be identified.

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

These are connections between two or more people, that can be mildly close or very close. For examples, relationships with our fellow learners, siblings, parents, relatives, teachers, et.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING SKILLS

communiation skills – being able to communicate andlisten well.

ability to regulate your emotions well

being empathetic – understanding other people’s feelings

being able to work as part of a team.

Effective communication

This involves sending and receiving clear messages and being able to provide clear feedback.

Verbal communiation should involve:-

• giving your message in a timely manner.
• helping the other party understand thatyou have received the message.
• lettingoneperson finish what they were saying.
• ensuring the other person can clearly here you.

Non-verbal ommunication involves

• using body gestures.
• pictures, graphs or maps.
• using written communication – making sure the handwriting is clear and neat.

Responsible Use Of Media

The effects of irresponsible use of media include:-

• feeling depressed and anious
• having unrealistic epectations.
• addiction
• low self-esteem
• unhealthy sleep patterns.
• having a negative body image as a result of comparing yourself to others.

Negotiation Skills

When different parties talk about their problems with the aim of coming up with a solution that is agreeable to all, this is called negotiation.

Which situations require negotiation?

-Business transactions – if you negotiate well, you can get the best deal possible for eample, when your mom, dad or guardian is negotiating for something at the market.

-Conflict resolution: Negotiation skills are important when conflicts and disagreements arise at home or at school.

-When dealing with cultural practices that are negative e.g early marriages, female genital mutilation.

Values That Enhance Negotiation Skills

Humility – This allows the parties involved not to be prideful and refuse to see the other party’s side.

Respect – This allows one to pay attention to what the other party is saying.

Responsibility – This helps to avoid the blame game so that the negotiation can become a success.

Honesty – This promotes trust in the negotiation process.

Tolerance – People are readily able to accept differing opinions because of tolerance.

Importance of Negotiation Skills

• brings about healthy relationships between people.
• helps us to be considerate of others.
• encourages respect between people.
• conflicts and disagreements are able to be handled well.

Non-Violent Conflict Resolution

When there’s a serious disagreement between two people or groups of people, that is what is known as conflict. Solutions should be found to amicably solve conflicts without violence. Conflicts can be:-

• Intrapersonal (within you): This is internal conflict and it occurs when you act in ways that go against your values and beliefs.
• Interpersonal: This occurs between two people who have differing views about a situation.
• Community: This is when different groups within one community are not able to see eye to eye on a certain issues, for example, how to share resources.
• National: This occurs within a country.

Peaceful Conflict Resolution Strategies

Mediation: An individual who is neutral is involved to help two or more parties find a solution to a problem.

Forgiveness: Accepting wrongdoings and letting go of any bitterness or hate.

Reconciliation: Two or more individuals find ways to end their disagreement and move forward.

Empathy: This is where you try to understand the other parties point of view. You try to understand their feelings and where they are coming from.

Negotiation: Discussions are made until an agreement is reached.

Peaceful resolution in conflicts brings about healthy relationships, promotes trust and unity in the community and brings about economic growth.

It’s important to remember that it is healthy for people to disagree. People won’t always agree on an issue but it is how you deal with the disagreement that is important.

Assertiveness

This means being confident enough to speak out for yourself – to be able to express your feelings, values and rights without being overly emotional.

Situations That Require Assertiveness

• You need to be assertive when dealing with bullies. You should be able to express yourself clearly and state your objections.
• You should be assertive when under peer pressure; when your peers are trying to influence you to do something you know is not right or illegal.
• Be assertive when defending your rights. It is your right to get an education, for example.
• Be assertive when speaking out against negative cultural practices

How does one become assertive?

• Practice sharing your opinion.
• Make it a habit to express how you feel. “I don’t like this” “This does not work for me” “I prefer to go tomorrow instead of today”
• Recognize the environment you are in and express your needs as you should.
• Finalize by thanking the other person.

Things That May Hinder Assertive Response

• Religious beliefs can make one become very soft or passive, and unlikely to speak up for themselves.
• Cultural beliefs can make one avoid saying no or speak their minds.
• Emotionally tense situations.
• Lack of knowledge on rights and responsibilities.

Who among these two learners is assertive?

At the school playground areas, when classmates skip her turn, Wambui calmly says, “It’s my turn now,” and joins the game without arguing or withdrawing.

When classmates skip his turn, Wafula stays quiet, steps back, and watches. Deep down he wants to play but he doesn’t say anything.

Empathy

This is the ability to understand another individual’s conditions and feelings and give the necessary support.

Situations That Require Empathy In Day to Day Life.

• When dealing with people who are abled differently.
• When dealing with people who come from cultures that are different from ours.
• When dealing with people who have special needs.
• When dealing with people who have health challenges.

We can express empathy by:-

• Listening keenly when they talk about their challenges.
• Praying with them.
• Sharing with them money, clothes, food etc

We can enhance empathy by being loving, responsible, tolerant, humble and respectful.

Managing Peer Influence

Peer influence is the impact that friends or people of a similar age have on their beliefs, values and behaviours. It can be positive or negative. Can you think of a positive influence that can happen to you from your friends? Can you think of a negative one?

Peer Pressure

This is when our friends, or people we spend time with who are of a similar age, force us to behave or conduct ourselves in a manner contrary to what we want.

There is positive peer pressure and negative peer pressure.

How To Manage Peer Pressure

• Be confident enough to change the subject when the topic is uncomfortable to you.
• Be confident enough to say NO if you don’t agree. Someone who is a true friend shouldn’t force you to do something that is wrong and against your values.
• Have values and principles that guide you in life. For example, if you value emphathy, you will refuse to go bully another child. If your value is being responsible, you will refuse to jump over the school fence.

DECISION MAKING SKILLS

This is the ability to come up with solutions to different challenges. Essentially, when you are making decisions, you will choose one course of action over another. The better choices you make, the better a decision maker you become.

You can either make rational or intrusive decisions.

Rational:- This relies on reason and logical guidance. You come up with different options and choose the best option.

Intrusive: This is a decision made in the absence of reason and logic. This is a decision made based on how one feels at that particular time.

Every day, you make decisions. Which decisions did you make today? Did you decide to brush your teeth? Did you decide which homework assignment to start with? Did you decide what to feed your pet?

Every day, you decide on :

• which friends to walk with.
• which household chores to start with.

Which Steps Are Involved In Decision Making?

1. Identify the problem.
2. Find out different options for the problem.
3. Think deeply about the option you have picked.
4. Decide on the best option.
5. Take action.

Remember, as you grow up, it is best to think before you leap. The decisions you make have consequences.

Let’s take a look at Hassan, in grade 7 who attends Masomo Halisi Junior Secondary School. He wants to make some pocket money during the Nov/Dec holidays.

1. He identifies the problem
   Hassan needs a way to earn money without affecting his schoolwork.
2. He gets information
   He asks his parents for advice, talks to friends, and observes small businesses in his neighbourhood.
3. He looks at possible options
   He considers washing cars, selling snacks, or spending the holidays only playing games.
4. He looks at the advantages and disadvantages (pros and cons)
   Car washing can earn money but is tiring.
   Selling snacks needs starting capital.
   Playing games is fun but earns no money.
5. He chooses the best option
   Hassan chooses car washing because it needs little money to start and can be done during weekends.
6. He then takes action
   He gets permission from his parents, gathers basic cleaning tools, and starts washing cars in the neighbourhood.
7. He reviews the decision
   After two weeks, Hassan has earned some money and still has time to rest and study. He looks back at his decision and is proud of himself.

Good decision making will help you make great career choices for your future self. When you make good decisions and you have self-discipline, you will have a bright future.

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE DECISION MAKING

• Emotional well-being: The state of your emotions can influence the decisions you make, eg mood swings, stress, anxiety.
• Peer pressure: Your peers can affect the decisions you make. This is why it is important to surround yourself with good friends who push you in the right direction.
• Family values: Expectations from parents, guardians and other relatives can affect the decisions you make.
• Media influence: Can push you to make decisions of a certain nature.

Creative Thinking Skills

Creative thinking is when you use your abilities and skills to come up with new solutions to problems. Have you heard of the term “out of the box thinking?’ Please Google and let me know what it means in the comment section!

Creative thinking involves looking at problems from different perspectives and coming up with new ways of doing things.

Creative thinking helps to:-

• boost one’s confidence
• give one a sense of sastisfaction
• discover themselves more
• grow your imagination
• boost your esteem and give you a healthy self-pride

After Hassan came up with the brilliant idea to wash cars to make some pocket money, other children in his estate decided to copy him. This led to Hassan losing some customers. Hassan used his creative thinking skills to come up with a solution.

Thinking creatively
Instead of lowering his prices like the others, Hassan thought creatively and offered to do a quick cleaning of the car’s interior for a small fee. He does a very neat and careful job. Customers recommend him and he ends up getting more customers.

Situations That Require Creative Thinking

• In academic situations like in science projects.
• In debates in school.
• When writing assignents like poetry in English literature
• When coding
• When dealing with harmful cultural practices.
• When thinking about your future career
• Figuring out what to do when you have inadequate resources, eg. time or money.

VALUES THAT FOSTER CREATIVE THINKING IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS

This involves:-

• Unity
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Love

Critical thinking is when one is able to objectively analyze and evaluate a problem, and be able to find a solution using logic, evaluation and evidence. It involves observation and reflection. Critical thinkers usually ask, “why” and “how” questions. Here is an example of critical thinking.

Hassan notices that his car-wash business makes less money during weekdays. Instead of guessing why this is happening, he checks which days customers come most and compares his earnings. He realizes most people are busy during the week and prefer their cars being washed on Saturday or Sunday. Using this information, Hassan decides to work only on weekends. As a result, he saves time and earns more.

From the example above, you can see that Hassan observed and reflected, and used evidence to come up with a good decision.

Why Should Students Have Critical Thinking Skills?

• It helps you, as a student, understand subjects better.
• It’ll help you later when you attend job interviews.
• Helps you make sound decisions, not ones based on emotions.
• Helps you, as a student, separate fact from fiction.

How Students Can Increase Critical Thinking Skills

• Asking questions in class such as can you elaborate further, can you give me an example, can you explain this in a simpler way? Train yourself to often ask “why” “what if” “how”
• Read books on different subjects
• Watch videos on different topics. Take part in group learning.

Critical thinkers are often curious, love learning, take calculated risks and are confident and have a healthy self-esteem.

IMPORTANCE OF CRITICAL THINKING IN STUDENTS

• Helps students to have a healthy level of curiousity.
• Promotes your research skills.
• Helps you sharpen problem-solving skills.
• Helps you to improve decision making skills.

Problem Solving Skills

These are the skills needed to find the solution to a problem.

This skills encourages you to believe in your ability to think. It also develops your thinking power.

Difference between creative thinking, critical thinking, and problem solving:-

Creative thinking is about coming up with new, original ideas to solve problems. Critical thinking is about thinking carefully and logically. Problem solving is about coming up with a solution to a problem.