Relationship-Building Skills

For many children, socialization begins at home with caregivers and family members, but once they enter school, your child starts building relationships with their teachers, peers, and others. Are your kids developing the relationship skills they need to succeed? Building and maintaining relationships is essential for your kids’ success and happiness; in fact, relationship skills are an important part of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), relationship skills are “the ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups.” For your student, having well-developed relationship skills means they are able to:

• Communicate clearly,
• Listen well,
• Cooperate with others,
• Resist inappropriate social pressure using self-management skills,
• Negotiate conflict constructively, and
• Seek and offer help when needed.

In this month’s edition of Power Parent Magazine, you’ll find these great resources:

• At GRPS, our diversity is our strength. Did you know that GRPS has over 70 countries represented? We are one of the most diverse school districts in the state. Read more in GOOD TO KNOW: Did you Know?
• Relationship skills aren’t always easy for our students to learn, but as their caregiver, there’s a lot you can do to guide them. For more, check out SETTING GOALS: The Power of a Caregiver
• CHECK IT OUT: Celebrate your History is all about African American History Month! In this article, find a great guide to African American History Month published by GRPS’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office.
• We learn important life lessons through our friendships. Learn more about the value of friends in NETWORKING FOR SUCCESS: You’ve Got a Friend in Me!
• Cooperating with others, including those who are different from us, is an important SEL skill. In NAVIGATING ACHIEVEMENT: Honoring Cultural Identities, read all about engaging with different world cultures and ways to talk to your student about immigration.
  
• Find a great collection of inspiring parenting ideas under FAMILY CONVERSATIONS: Positive Parenting