Lift Sir Herbert Leon

Listening - The receiving, retaining and processing of information or ideas
This skill is all about being able to listen effectively to others.
Initially when developing this skill we focus on remembering short instructions, understanding why others are communicating and picking out important information.
We then look at how to demonstrate we are listening effectively, thinking about body language, open questioning and summarising and rephrasing.
Suggested activities to try at home to build the skill of Listening:
Listen to and review an audiobook or podcast. Talk or write about what was good about it and if you would recommend it to others.
Arrange a phone or video call with an older family member. Speak clearly and listen carefully to the other person in the conversation.
Speaking - The oral transmission of information or ideas
This skill is all about how to communicate effectively with others.
Initially, this skill focuses on being able to speak clearly – first with a friend or someone we know well and in small groups, and then with those who are not known.
The next stage is about being an effective speaker by making points logically, by thinking about what listeners already know and using appropriate language, tone and gesture.
Plan a presentation about a hobby or interest. This might be about a computer game, a sport or a style of music. Ask questions to extend the conversation.
Put on a show for family. Organise a short show to run over a video call or in person to entertain family members. It could include a song, magic trick or a presentation. Introduce the show clearly so the family know what to expect.
Problem Solving - The ability to find a solution to a situation or challenge
This skill focuses on how to solve problems, recognising that while part of Problem Solving is technical know-how and experience, there are also transferrable tools that individuals can develop and use.
The first steps focus on being able to follow instructions to complete tasks, seeking help and extra information if needed. The next stage focuses on being able to explore problems by creating and assessing different potential solutions. This includes more complex problems, without a simple technical solution.
Suggested activities to try at home to build the skill of Problem Solving:
‍Consider the problem: A village has a river flowing through it. Villagers need a bridge to get across the river. Draw a sketch of a bridge design. Use junk-modelling to build a model of the bridge.
Consider the problem: How can we improve the environment? Research to find out more about this problem. Create 3 solutions you could do at home or locally to address this problem. Write or sketch to show how your proposed solutions might help solve the problem, then share this with your household.
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Creativity - The use of imagination and the generation of new ideas
Creativity is the complement to Problem Solving, and is about generating innovations or ideas which can then be honed through the problem-solving process.
The first few steps focus on the individual's confidence in imagining different situations and sharing their ideas.
The focus is then on generating ideas – using a clear brief, making improvements to something that already exists and combining concepts.
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Suggested activities to try at home to build the skill of Creativity:
‍Fashion designer. Choose a theme, then create designs for a new outfit. The clothes could be inspired by some existing designs that you then adapt or could be completely new. Draw illustrations or create designs on the computer and talk about them to others at home.
Games Designer. Create a storyboard or play for a brand new computer game. Think about an existing game you enjoy then change the characters, setting and/or challenge to make it new. Talk about your ideas with someone at home.
Staying Positive - The ability to use tactics and strategies to overcome setbacks and achieve goals
This skill is all about being equipped to manage emotions effectively and being able to remain motivated, and ultimately to motivate others, even when facing setbacks.
The early steps focus on identifying emotions – particularly feeling positive or negative. Building off that is the ability to keep trying – and then staying calm, thinking about what went wrong, and trying to cheer up and encourage others.
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Suggested activities to try at home to build the skill of Staying Positive:
‍Play a tricky game. Play a computer or board game that you know is tricky, but is still fun! Talk about when things go wrong, or you are losing. Talk about how you feel and what you need to do to stay calm and carry on. Encourage each other to keep going.
Master something new. Think of an activity that requires practice and set it as a challenge. Could be to learn a new language, how to juggle, to play a new song on an instrument or to do a new magic trick!
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Aiming High - The ability to set clear, tangible goals and devise a robust route to achieving them
This skill is about being able to plan effectively. Initially, this is about knowing when something is too difficult, and having a sense of what doing well looks like for an individual. ‍
The focus is then about working with care and attention, taking pride in success and having a positive approach to new challenges. Building on this, individuals set goals for themselves, informed by an understanding of what is needed, and then be able to order and prioritise tasks, secure resources and involve others effectively.
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Suggested activities to try at home to build the skill of Aiming High:
‍Start a skill exchange with a friend or member of your family. Choose something you can teach and learn. For example, you might teach a parent or carer to play a video game, and they might teach you to cook a meal.
Set yourself a challenge to get more active. For example, you might aim to complete 20 star jumps in a row or to run a certain number of laps around an outdoor space.
Leadership - Supporting, encouraging and developing others to achieve a shared goal
At the early stages of developing this skill, the focus is on basic empathy – understanding their own feelings, being able to share them, and recognising the feelings of others.
The focus is then on managing working with others – dividing up tasks, managing time and sharing resources, managing group discussions and dealing with disagreements.
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Suggested activities to try at home to build the skill of Leadership:
‍Family Keep Fit Session. Ask your child to organise a short exercise session for the family. They will need to decide on some activities that everyone can do, how long it will take and then show everyone what to do and encourage them to join it and to follow the instructions.
Organise a family games night. Ask your child to choose some games to play, to decide how long you will spend on them and encourage them to manage any disagreements.
Teamwork - Working cooperatively with others towards a shared goal
This skill initially involves understanding how to work with others in a positive way, behaving appropriately, being timely and reliable and taking responsibility for completing tasks.
The next steps focus on making a contribution to a team through group decision making, recognising the value of others' ideas and encouraging others to contribute too.
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Suggested activities to try at home to build the skill of Teamwork:
‍Cook a meal together. Decide together what you are going to cook, then share jobs out between you. Talk about the process and celebrate by sharing and eating the final meal together.
Organise a family film night. Speak to everyone in your household to get film ideas and then organise a vote to decide on the winning film.
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Skills Builder Homezone
Experience Levels
For children who are at the start of their learning journey to children who are independently looking to improve essential skills, Skills Builder Homezone can support you and your child.
Skill Levels to choose from:
- Getting Started
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Mastery

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