Formation of Soft Skills in Students as a Resource for Educational Resilience: Training Strategies Based on the Experience of the Departments of Practical Psychology and Preschool Education

The article outlines the theoretical and methodological foundations for developing soft skills in higher education institutions under wartime conditions. Emphasis is placed on soft skills as a crucial resource for personal, professional, and educational resilience among participants in the educational process. The authors justify the implementation of training-based educational practices aimed at fostering communication skills, emotional self-regulation, leadership, time management, teamwork, and career motivation. The article presents the practical experience of the Department of Practical Psychology and the Department of Preschool Education at the Faculty of Vocational and Pedagogical Education of Donbas State Pedagogical University. It is noted that, following the university’s relocation to Dnipro and the transition to online learning, both departments adapted their educational processes to meet new challenges. Five key organizational and pedagogical conditions that promote soft skills development are characterized: integration of training disciplines into curricula; creation of a supportive educational environment; active application of reflective practices; engagement in project-based activities; and the enhancement of digital competence. The article describes the content of training courses implemented within the departments’ educational programs and provides evidence of their effectiveness. Additionally, the specific role of soft skills in supporting psychological stability amid uncertainty is discussed. The authors emphasize that soft skills are a critical factor in enhancing graduate competitiveness, particularly during wartime and in the post-war recovery period.