Demonstrate ways of helping children and young people

to understand the value and importance of positive

relationships with others

Isolation in adulthood is considered to be a strong risk factor for loneliness and

depression; human beings are by nature social creatures, and social cohesion is at

the heart of this tendency. However, not all children find it easy to get along with each

other, especially when their emotional and social development is in its very early

stages. They can often be quite egocentric, and may sometimes behave as if they

are the only child in the world, so helping them understand the value of positive

relationships is an important aspect of early years and school work.

In addition to their social needs, most common adult jobs tend to be team based.

The ability to be a 'team player' is highly valued, and the development of the skills

that enable children to succeed at this is very important.

Helping children and young people to understand positive relationships.

Strategies to help children and young people appreciate the value of positive

relationships There are lots of ways to improve the social abilities of the children you work with,

and they can easily be linked in to the work you are already doing on the curriculum,

so that although there is no emphasis on the social aspects of the tasks, the subtle

benefits will shine through.

Everyone helps each other

One of the most delightful things about working with very young children is their

willingness to help other people. If you encourage them to help each other, whether

it is clearing up the class at the end of an art lesson, or helping someone to make a

model or a picture, it is a nice way to harness this willingness and to show that it is

positive, wanted behaviour.

Work in groups and pairs

The thing about diverse societies is that there are so many differences about people

and the way in which they do things. One way in which you can encourage the

appreciation and celebration of those differences (as opposed to mere toleration), is

to have children work in small groups and pairs. If they have to figure out the best

way to do something, with each of them having equal say in the proceedings, they

have a chance to see on a regular basis how different ways work as well as their own.

Working closely with other children in this way can also encourage the development

of good listening and appreciation of new ideas, and feeds into the respect and

courtesy that we like to promote in children.

Assist with empathy development

Empathy is the ability to walk about in someone else's proverbial shoes. It is not the

same as sympathy, which is a far less useful emotion. Empathy allows a person to

access what another person feels, and it is something that develops within children

as they become more aware of the people around them.

Helping them develop empathy means that they learn how the way they behave

towards others can affect them. For example, if you have a child who has been

snatching toys off other children, you can gently draw attention to the situation by

saying something like 'oh no, poor Sami is crying because you took her elephant to

play trains. Do you think she feels sad? Come with me, we'll go and make sure she's

okay.'