{"id":39410,"date":"2023-04-20T15:49:24","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T14:49:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/potentialplusuk.org\/?p=39410"},"modified":"2024-12-02T14:21:24","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T14:21:24","slug":"what-is-skills-builder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/potentialplusuk.org\/index.php\/2023\/04\/20\/what-is-skills-builder\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Skills Builder?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Many of Potential Plus UK’s blogs and events carry Skills Builder logos \u2013 but what exactly is Skills Builder, how do you use it and why is it important to the development of children and young people?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Skills Builder is a framework which helps children and young people to develop essential life skills for success in the 21st century. The Skills Builder Partnership<\/a> has identified eight skills: Listening, Speaking, Problem Solving, Creativity, Staying Positive, Aiming High, Leadership <\/strong>and Teamwork<\/strong>, which research has shown are essential in supporting young people in promoting their social and emotional wellbeing, learning and academic outcomes and careers and opportunities. They are core transferable skills which underpin success at every stage of life and are essential tools that children and young people should, and are able to, learn and develop.<\/p>\n

The Skills Builder framework helps children and young people to understand their existing skills, practise them in different settings, learn how to develop those skills further and to monitor their progress. Full details of the 16 steps in each of these skills can be found on the Skills Builder website www.skillsbuilder.org\/universal-framework\/<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Potential Plus UK and Skills Builder<\/h4>\n

For several years, Potential Plus UK has been working in partnership with The Skills Builder Partnership to highlight these eight skills to our community. Skills Builder skills have been incorporated by us into in-person and online events<\/a> and signposted in our blogs<\/a> to offer children and young people the opportunity to develop their abilities in the key areas identified by the Skills Builder network. While originally created for use by schools with input from future employers, Skills Builder is now a global movement of employers, educators and impact organisations, last year alone supporting more than 2.3 million individuals to build essential skills.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Building Skills at Home<\/h4>\n

Skills Builder has been working with organisations such as Potential Plus UK to grow and develop. They work collaboratively and listen to feedback and over recent years have placed a focus on developing their direct offer to parents and carers. As well as frequent reference to parents throughout the site, there is a dedicated Parent\/Carer area<\/a> now where you can explore how the resources and applications that are on offer can be used directly at home.<\/p>\n

The key to using the Skills Builder Framework is the term \u201cbuild\u201d. Each of the eight skills develops a person\u2019s abilities by building on previous experience through a 16 step ladder for each skill. By familiarising yourself with the Skills Builder framework<\/a> it is possible to spot opportunities to incorporate these skills into your everyday family life \u2013 as well as in specific measurable activities.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Introducing the 8 Essential Skills<\/h2>\n

Communication<\/span><\/h3>\n

Listening & Speaking Skills<\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”39420″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/www.skillsbuilder.org\/universal-framework\/listening”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1681996872900{padding-top: 20px !important;}”]Listening Skills<\/strong> – The ability to listen critically to others and understand information and the influence and reasoning behind it. https:\/\/www.skillsbuilder.org\/universal-framework\/listening<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1681997007356{margin-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]\u201cThey just never listen!\u201d How many times have you thought that about someone? The listening aspect of Skills Builder teaches children and young people how to listen effectively. Listening<\/em> is more than simply hearing what is said. To really listen requires real understanding and to understand you need to ask questions of yourself and of others.<\/p>\n

The Listening skills <\/em>ladder covers paying attention and remembering as you listen to others; showing through your body language, summarising and questioning that you are listening;\u00a0 being aware of how you are influenced by the tone and language of others; and learning to listen critically so that you can spot bias, evaluate ideas, and be objective.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”39421″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/www.skillsbuilder.org\/universal-framework\/speaking”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1681997146246{padding-top: 20px !important;}”]Speaking Skills<\/strong> \u2013 Learning how to talk to people to communicate information or ideas effectively and engagingly https:\/\/www.skillsbuilder.org\/universal-framework\/speaking<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1681997161577{margin-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]We\u2019ve all heard people who talk for a long time without ever getting to the point or watched politicians hold a masterclass in redirecting a conversation to what they<\/em> want to talk about and never answering the question. For many children, having to present information in a classroom situation, stand up for what they believe in or talk socially to people they don\u2019t know well can create severe anxiety.<\/p>\n

On the Speaking<\/em> skills<\/em> ladder, children learn how to communicate effectively with others \u2013 whether talking to friends, adults they know or in wider settings. It focuses on speaking clearly to those you know and then to those you don\u2019t know. It moves onto learning how to discuss your points clearly with logic, appropriate language, tone and body language and how to speak engagingly with examples, facts, expressions and gestures. It considers how you should adapt what you are saying to your listener’s responses and how to speak influentially.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Resource Links (Potential Plus UK Blogs)<\/h4>\n

\u2022 Bullying and High Learning Potential<\/a>
\n\u2022 Building Friendships \u2013 Finding Friends When You Have High Learning Potential<\/a>
\n\u2022 Setting \u2018Copycat Kids\u2019 the Right Example! How to be a Role Model and Coach Constructive Reactions<\/a>
\n\u2022 Thunks!<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”mulled_wine” border_width=”2″ el_width=”50″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Creative Problem Solving<\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Problem Solving & Creativity Skills<\/h4>\n

Creativity<\/em> doesn\u2019t just mean being good at art and Problem Solving<\/em> doesn\u2019t just mean being good at maths; these skills are an important part of every aspect of our lives. Children with high ability can spark ideas, demand answers to questions and seek solutions to problems in everything they do \u2013 to the point where sometimes parents wish there was an off-switch! However, being highly intelligent doesn\u2019t always mean that you are highly creative. Children with high learning potential can need support to develop their creative abilities and to learn to see things from a different perspective. You can find out more about the characteristics of creative people in this blog: https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/characteristics-of-creative-people-2795488<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”39422″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/www.skillsbuilder.org\/universal-framework\/problem-solving”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1681997691879{padding-top: 20px !important;}”]Problem Solving Skills<\/strong> – The ability to complete tasks, explore problems, find solutions, analyse and solve complex situations or challenges. https:\/\/www.skillsbuilder.org\/universal-framework\/problem-solving<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1681997718189{margin-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]While many people may associate problem solving with puzzles or technology, the tools required to problem solve are something that can be applied to any situation. The Problem Solving skills<\/em> ladder helps children learn how to follow instructions, to complete tasks and to ask for help or extra information. They learn to explore the cause and effect of problems which don\u2019t have simple solutions and to consider, evaluate and theorise a number of options before learning how to carry out their strategic plans and assess their success.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”39423″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/www.skillsbuilder.org\/universal-framework\/creativity”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1681997795136{padding-top: 20px !important;}”]Creativity Skills<\/strong> – The use of imagination to generate and innovate new and effective ideas and to support others to do the same. https:\/\/www.skillsbuilder.org\/universal-framework\/creativity<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1681997810969{margin-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Creativity skills<\/em> ladder focuses on building confidence in your creativity; helping you to move from making minor improvements, through development of ideas using tools like mind mapping and questioning, to enjoying new stimuli and experiences which help you to see things from different perspectives, learning to innovate, and supporting others in their creativity.<\/p>\n

One or both of these Skills Builder elements can be found at all of our in-person events. In fact, if you get to the end of a session and don\u2019t think you have flexed those Problem Solving<\/em> or Creativity<\/em> muscles at any stage, you should ask yourself why not![\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Resource Links (Potential Plus UK Blogs)<\/h4>\n