Abstract

The abilities for adaptive positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life are termed as life skill. UNICEF (2012) defines life skills as a behaviour change or behaviour development approach designed to address a balance of three areas: knowledge, attitude and skills. Life skills are essentially those abilities that help to promote mental well-being and competence in young children as they face the realities of life. These skills have an effect on the ability of young children to protect themselves from health threats, build competencies to adopt positive behaviours, and foster healthy relationships. These all skills are also very crucial in the life of children with special needs. These children need much more attention in their life skills areas as they are differ in physical, intellectual, emotional and sociological aspect with their normal peer groups. They need these skills in the area of decision making, problem solving, effective communication, interpersonal relationship, self awareness, coping with emotions and stress etc. There are so many challenges while imparting life skill education to these groups of children. Therefore present paper is an attempt to elaborate the concept of life skill education for children with special needs and also put forward different issues and challenges regarding it and will provide solution to overcome these challenges.

Keywords: Life Skills, Positive Behaviours, Children with Special Needs

[1] Assistant Professor & Course Coordinator, Department of Mental Retardation, Faculty of Special Education, UPVU Dr. Shakuntala Misra University, Lucknow, UP.