Relationships can be taught to students by encouraging positive interactions, teaching effective communication skills, fostering empathy and respect for others, and setting clear boundaries and expectations for behavior in relationships.
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To teach relationships to students, it is essential to focus on building positive interactions, communication skills, empathy, and respect. The following strategies can be used to help students learn how to develop healthy relationships:
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Encourage Positive Interactions: Encourage positive interactions that promote connection between students. Group work, team building activities and icebreakers can help build positive relationships among peers.
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Teach Effective Communication Skills: Teach students to communicate effectively, promoting active listening, respectful language, and honest expression. As Stephen Covey puts it, “Communication is the most important skill in life.”
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Foster Empathy and Respect: Foster empathy and respect in students by teaching them to understand and appreciate the perspectives of others. Educator and author, Alfie Kohn states that, “Respectful and empathetic relationships are the foundation on which all learning rests.”
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Set Clear Boundaries and Expectations: Set clear boundaries and expectations for behavior in relationships. Teach what a healthy relationship looks like, encouraging boundaries for personal space and communication.
Here is a table of ideas and activities that you can use to teach healthy relationships:
Activity | Description |
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Role Playing | Encourage students to role play scenarios demonstrating different types of relationships and how to navigate them |
Group Discussion | Host a group discussion and use empathy statements that acknowledge each person’s feelings instead of ignoring them |
Debate | Prepare a debate topic and have students form teams and construct an argument promoting healthy relationships |
Community Service | Encourage students to participate in community service projects to foster unity and collaboration |
Culture Activity | Introduce a culture activity that explores other culture’s values regarding relationships and includes a discussion about similarities and differences |
Teaching relationships can also involve addressing negative behaviors and providing resources for students in abusive situations. It is essential to provide a safe environment for students to share their struggles and work towards healthy relationships. As Author and Psychologist, Dr. Gary Chapman states, “You can’t fix something if you don’t know it’s broken.”
Video answer
Amanda Bruce, an educator, shared five ways to establish positive relationships with students, including saying hi to them daily, attending after-school activities, sharing personal stories, allowing students to share their experiences and interests, and encouraging effort and progress through positive feedback. She suggests showing interest in their interests and acknowledging their improvements to instill a growth mindset. By making students feel special and important, they will desire a connection with their teacher and seek them out for conversation and support.
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6 Easy Ways to Build Relationships with Your Students
- Spend 1-On-1 Time with a Student.
- Look for Something to Comment On.
- Develop an Interest in Their Interests.
- Share Your Stories.
- Have a Sense of Humor.
- Attend Student Events.
4 Ways to Talk to Students About Dating and Relationships
Strategies for Teachers to Develop Positive Relationships With Students
- Provide Structure Most kids respond positively to having structure in their classroom. It makes them feel safe and leads to increased learning.
Strong relationships between adults and students must include: expressing care, challenging growth, providing support, sharing power, and expanding possibilities (see related chart for explanations).
However, I have found that investing time early and often to learn about students—by making small changes in our classroom—creates an environment where they are motivated to be successful. Here are six strategies I use to build better relationships with my students.
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- Group activities. The first strategy for teaching relationship skills on the list is group activities.
- Changing seats.
- Role playing.
- Read alouds.
- Playing games.
- Make your child feel loved and secure.
- Communicate early and often.
- Encourage your children.
- Express interest in their activities.
- Provide opportunities for them to develop relationships.
- Respect is mutual.