Life Skills

Education news, analysis, and opinion about non-cognitive skills and soft skills
Photo of high school girls working on building project in class.
Globally, 15-year-old girls outpaced their male peers in a new international test of creative thinking.
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International What the Research Says What Schools Can Learn From a Global Assessment on Creative Thinking
Not all creativity is the same for student achievement, the latest Program for International Student Assessment data show.
Sarah D. Sparks, June 18, 2024
4 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion Youth Sports Are About More than Just Winning
A good athletics program introduces students to life lessons, and a good coach understands his or her impact.
Rick Hess, June 18, 2024
4 min read
Young girl using scissors in classroom.
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Early Childhood The State of Teaching Young Kids Are Struggling With Skills Like Listening, Sharing, and Using Scissors
Teachers say basic skills and tasks are more challenging for young students now than they were five years ago.
Madeline Will, June 3, 2024
5 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion Farewell: Ask a Psychologist Says Goodbye
Angela Duckworth announces the sunsetting of the Character Lab and the Education Week Opinion blog.
Angela Duckworth, April 17, 2024
3 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion Tests Often Stress Students. These Tips Can Calm Their Nerves
It's normal for students to feel anxious about tests and presentations. Here's what the research says can help them.
Michael Norton, April 10, 2024
2 min read
Close up of elementary or middle school white girl using a mobile phone in the classroom.
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Student Well-Being Can SEL Help Students Curb Their Own Cellphone Use?
Experts say that a combination of SEL skills and better school policies would help curb student cellphone use.
7 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion 4 Steps Students Can Take to Help Make Tough Decisions
When students feel stuck, they can harness the power of the nonconscious mind to help them move forward.
Kennon Sheldon, March 27, 2024
2 min read
Vector illustration concept of 3 students and a cell phone being unplugged from the internet.
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Student Well-Being How Teaching Kids 'Digital Agency' Can Make Social Media a Positive Place for Them
Digital agency includes a set of skills educators can teach to help students avoid social media "thinking traps."
Arianna Prothero, March 22, 2024
4 min read
Little girl inside head of woman papercut vector illustration. Psychology, inner child, human individuality and memory of childhood healing concept
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Student Well-Being Opinion Nobody Wants to Look Stupid: Resources for Teaching About Executive Functions
Executive functioning is a learned skill, explains an educational therapist. Here’s how to teach it to your students—and yourself.
Lexi Peterson, March 1, 2024
4 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion An Easy Way to Help Students Develop Better Judgment
To help students think critically, ask them these three questions.
Carey Morewedge, January 24, 2024
3 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion Students Like Easy Work. Here's How to Break That
Don’t assume students avoid effort because they’re lazy. They may be confusing effort with failure to make progress.
Angela Duckworth, January 17, 2024
1 min read
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Curriculum A Few Years Ago, 8 States Required Personal Finance Education. Now It's Up to Half
Advocates say the pandemic has accelerated the push to require high schoolers to take a financial literacy course.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 11, 2024
4 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion Emotional Intelligence and AI Together Can Help Lessen the Student Mental Health Crisis
Six out of 10 adolescents feel lonely and isolated. Here's how one large district is trying to combat the issue.
Michael Fullan & Michael Matsuda, January 4, 2024
4 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion 3 Questions to Uncover Students' Hidden Potential
Students often struggle to distinguish between what they should do and what they want to do. Here’s how to help them.
Scott Barry Kaufman, January 3, 2024
2 min read