The paper is considered to detect the understanding of the concept of «universal skills for successful living», and characterizing their features for both children and adults. The difference between the understanding of the concepts of «life difficult circumstances» and «life unfavorable circumstances» is highlighted. There has been an attempt to substantiate five universal skills of preschool children to adapt and resume their activities in unfavorable life situations, which include: the ability to recover from hyper anxiety, anxiety, fear; the ability to look for different ways to deal with a situation that worries the child; the ability to regain strength through favorite games and activities; ability to ask for help resolving situations; the ability to help others and involve friends into common games and activities.