Michaela - I think your son might need to make the board a pot of coffee to get good answers to such big questions. My first thought reading the post was that learning some lifeskills isn't contrary to having great ideas or deep thoughts. Sometimes kids get the idea that they are one kind of person or another. They are smart or they are capable. Starting on some of these life skills early may make it more natural for kids to be competent.
As far as the list of skills I'd also include emotional and social skills (forming relationships, being a good friend, handling conflict, managing stress, etc.) Life skills (caring for health, budgeting, competence with basic housekeeping).
