The Theoretical Framework and Pedagogy of an Overlooked Competency in Education: A Review of Daily Life Problem-Solving Skills

Abstract

This article presents an academic review of Dr. Muhammet Fatih Doğan's 2025 work titled "Daily Life Problem-Solving Skills." The article analyzes the book's central thesis: "Daily Life Problem-Solving Skills" (DLPS) constitute a set of competencies with a unique theoretical structure, distinct from general frameworks like "Basic Life Skills" or "21st Century Skills," with which they are often conflated in educational literature. The author, motivated by an academic debate during his doctoral dissertation process, aims to fill a gap in the literature by providing a "comprehensive study" and "concrete definition" for the field of DLPS. This review details the work's 650-page volume and its systematic structure, which addresses twenty distinct skills. It particularly emphasizes the consistent pedagogical template presented for each skill (daily life factors, development strategies, educational application, and case studies), which facilitates the transition from theory to practice. In conclusion, the article argues that this work serves as both a theoretical foundation and a practical guide for its target audience—academics, teachers, and teacher candidates—and possesses the potential to become a significant reference source in the field.