As part of our EDU 06, a Life Skills Workshop was conducted on 23rd March 2026 (Monday) from 10:00 a.m. onwards. The session was led by Dr. Ajit R. Pillai, a retired principal of DBHSS Perimala, a PhD holder in Sociology, and a state-level resource person. The workshop began with a warm welcome speech by our philosophy teacher, Priya Teacher.
The session commenced with an insightful discussion on Erik Erikson’s stages of development, supported by a PowerPoint presentation. He highlighted the importance of understanding learners’ psychological growth and emphasized the role of teachers as mentors. He elaborated on the various roles a teacher must adopt to effectively guide students.
One of the most engaging activities was titled “The World of Children.” We were divided into groups (based on our seminar groups) and asked to create a collage representing the world of an adolescent. Each group had a leader and an observer; I took on the role of leader, while Blessy from the Natural Science department served as the observer. Our group explored themes such as fantasy, cinema, and teenage emotions. The chart was presented by Thamisha and Shijina, followed by feedback from the observer highlighting participation levels. The activity encouraged creativity, collaboration, and reflection, and Group 10 was recognized as the best.
After a short break, the session continued with a series of interactive activities designed to develop essential life skills. One such activity involved six students standing in a circle, holding hands, and attempting to move forward without breaking the chain. Through trial and error, we succeeded, learning valuable lessons in problem-solving, decision-making, and teamwork.
Another thought-provoking task involved connecting nine dots arranged in a 3×3 grid using only four straight lines without lifting the hand. Only two participants successfully completed the challenge, demonstrating creative and lateral thinking. This was followed by a drawing activity where we had to identify hidden animals from random curved lines, reinforcing the idea that creativity exists in everyone.
In the afternoon session, he discussed how life skills can be applied in both professional and personal life. A fun yet meaningful game required students to respond quickly to categories such as fruits, flowers, or vegetables, testing their stress management and quick thinking abilities.
A particularly impactful activity focused on empathy and interpersonal relationships. Students were paired, and each was asked to assign a challenging task to their partner. However, the twist was that the person who assigned the task had to perform it themselves. This reversal helped us understand others’ perspectives and the importance of empathy. I was asked to speak fluently in Malayalam without using any English words—a challenging yet enlightening experience.
The workshop also included a case study analysis, where each group was assigned a specific life skill. Our group worked on cognitive stress, and as the leader, I presented our analysis, linking the case study with the assigned skill.
The session concluded on a positive and reflective note. Sir effectively introduced us to the ten core life skills, emphasizing their relevance for prospective teachers. Overall, the workshop was highly interactive, insightful, and practical. It not only enhanced our understanding of life skills but also demonstrated how these skills can be integrated into teaching and everyday life.
This workshop was truly a valuable experience that will remain beneficial in our journey as future educators.