Life Skills Activities for Middle School Students

Middle school is a time of change. Preteens may struggle with self-awareness, especially as their friend circles begin to shift. Because of this transition, this is the perfect time to introduce “soft skills.” Indeed, life skills activities for middle school students not only help them transition to the next developmental stage, but also prepare young people for the workplace.

This article will examine the top two benefits that life skills activities for middle schoolers provide:

• Job readiness

• Personal growth

What are "Soft Skills"?

“Soft skills” refer to intangible, interpersonal skills that everyone needs in order to thrive in life. Most experts point to specific practices that build character, such as perseverance, resilience, leadership, communication, and teamwork.

The classroom is an excellent setting for these lessons because teachers can direct learning in a controlled, safe environment. Moreover, life skills activities for middle school students can help young people cope with setbacks as they learn to adapt to change.

Life Skills Activities for Middle School Students Lead to Job Readiness

Middle schoolers may not be thinking about careers yet, but they need to start developing skills that translate to the workplace.

Most students stay busy outside of school with athletic competitions, performances, or other extracurricular activities. Very few middle schoolers have paying jobs, like babysitting or dog walking.

As a result, young people are learning important “soft skills” at a later age, which means that they are less prepared when they enter the workplace.

Life skills activities for middle school students focus on real-world applications. Today’s employers expect their new hires to have the following skills already:

• Social awareness

• Empathy + Respect

• Time Management

• Critical Thinking

• Collaboration + Leadership

• Communication + Persuasiveness

Marlborough integrates these life skills activities in our middle school students’ course of study. For instance, our girls can participate in fascinating group projects that explore technology, engineering, digital art, or journalism.

Marlborough students also learn the value of teamwork in athletics and fine arts. They often study in groups, striving for excellence as they build lasting relationships.

Life Skills Activities for Middle School Students Lead to Personal Growth

As middle school students mature, they may question their place in the community. Yet, life skills activities simultaneously point to the individual’s contribution while focusing on the group itself. As a result, students feel empowered to take calculated risks that benefit the team.

Here are four life skills activities that teachers may consider adapting to their middle school classroom. Both lead to personal growth.

1.    The Mirroring Exercise

Students pair up and sit across from each other. The first girl selects a topic from a list, then describes it in detail while her partner listens quietly. The listener does not take notes. She must pay close attention without allowing her mind to wander.

After a designated time, the listener restates what she heard her partner say as clearly and completely as possible. Then, the girls switch roles.

The goal of this exercise is to improve active listening, communication, patience, and respect.

2.    The Wilderness Survival Scenario

In a group setting, students answer a series of questions concerning their ability to survive in an imaginary wilderness. Settings may vary, but here are a few examples:

• Your team has wandered away from “homebase.” Now, you are lost. You have no way to signal the others.

• Your team finds itself stranded on a snake-infested island. You have no means of self-defense.

• Your team is marooned on a beach, with little drinkable water.

Each team must decide which actions to take in order to ensure the group’s survival. While students may default to solutions that save an individual or two, they need to think about the welfare of the entire group.

This exercise focuses on discernment, practical problem solving, empathy, leadership, courage, negotiation, and flexibility.

3.   The Full Value Contract

This exercise allows middle schoolers to establish values-based ground rules for a team. Each student takes an index card and lists three values which she believes will promote a sense of community.

Team members then discuss these values, consolidating them into more precise categories. They write the finalized list on a poster board, each student signing it.

Whenever there is a dispute, the team should refer to the “contract,” which holds everyone accountable.

The purpose of this exercise is to create a safe space to explore ideas by focusing on common language and shared expectations. Additionally, this activity prepares middle school students for the workplace by emphasizing similarities, rather than differences.

4.  The Blindfold Game

Students work with partners in this exercise. One student wears a blindfold and listens carefully as the partner navigates her through a simple obstacle course. The guide may not touch the blindfolded student; instead, the guide must tell her partner precisely where to go, how many steps to take, when to stop, when to turn, etc.

Once the blindfolded student reaches the finish line, the students switch; the blindfolded student becomes the guide.

This exercise boosts communication, listening, trust, and flexibility, all valuable skills in today’s marketplace.

As a noted author and entrepreneur, Daniel Patrick Forrester firmly believes that reflective thinking unlocks creativity and innovation, leading to significant personal growth and professional excellence.  

Likewise, Marlborough understands the value of life skills activities, especially since they combine targeted collaboration with reflective critical thinking. Let us prepare your middle school daughter for college and career with our life skills activities.

Why Choose Marlborough?  

Marlborough serves girls in grades 7 through 12. We are a private, college-preparatory secondary school, conveniently located in the heart of Los Angeles, California.  

Our goal is to ignite intellectual inquiry and to build the problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills that our students will need to innovate, invent, and lead in college and beyond.

Next Steps

If you want your daughter to become a curious, agile thinker, consider Marlborough. Our life skills activities for middle school students will peak your daughter’s interest, helping her develop the confidence to succeed. 

Want to know more about the Marlborough experience? 

Contact us today