Developing Life Skills in Children: A Road Map for Communicating with Parents

Abstract

Research has found that healthy learning and development depend upon the integration of children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and academic growth at home and in school. To inform communication with parents and guardians about the role of schools in developing these skills, Learning Heroes conducted research among parents of K-8 public school students. They found parents expect schools to reinforce the development of “life skills” in their children, are as likely to agree with the potential benefits as the potential risks of schools’ involvement, and push back on formal grading of their children in the development of these skills.