Life Skills Education Toolkit

LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION TOOLKIT FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN INDIA 1•

MODULE FOUR: Relationships

To belong and relate to one another are a

fundamental and universal needs. Building and

sustaining healthy relationships are skills for which

everyone aspires. Relationships are built in families,

with friends, with those of the opposite sex, at work

and in many community activities. These relations are

dependent on communication, trust and expectations

from each other. If one person has too high or too

idealistic expectations of him/herself, that person will

have a tendency to judge others by those unrealistic

standards. Relationships in these cases are very likely

to be full of tension and unhappiness.

Healthy relationships in families are founded upon

good communication, fostering self- esteem and

supporting one another. As children grow, friends

become an important part of life. They not only

satisfy needs of being together and “belonging,” they

influence the way a person thinks and feels about

situations. Children and young people want to be like

the rest of their friends and peers. The need to be

accepted as part of a group is so strong among young

people that they are influenced easily by their peers.

That is why knowing how to choose a friend is so

critical. Sometimes friends and peers can have a

positive influence on children’s lives, and sometimes

they can lead to disruptive and dangerous behavior.

A relationship is a two-way process involving give

and take. Fostering healthy and happy relationships

depends on what we bring to a relationship. We

may have a caring and trusting friend, but if we

ourselves do not care for and trust him/her, the

relationship is bound to break down. As the saying

goes, it takes two hands to clap. So before blaming

and criticizing others, it is necessary to reflect on

oneself and analyze one’s own contribution to a

problem situation.

All relationships have their ups and downs. Managing

differences, resolving conflicts in a positive manner

and finding win-win solutions become critical in

sustaining relationships. Good communication

always minimizes conflicts and creates a climate of

openness and trust. However, sometimes the best

efforts to resolve differences can fail. It is best, under

such circumstances, to terminate relationships

amicably. Like communication, managing our

emotions in conflict situations is critical to smoothly

reach a resolution to the conflict.

The modules on feelings and communication

support many of the activities in this module and

the facilitator should review and select sessions as

required. A number of suggestions have been

provided about activities that are applicable to

both younger and older children. The facilitator is

advised to select exercises according to the needs of

the children.

SESSION ONE

Ideal Persons and Me

This session will explore how idealized views affect

young people’s behavior and may actually harm

the development of healthy relationships.There are

two activities in this session.

SESSION TWO

Network of Relationships

Friends, family and community are part of our

relationships. While some relationships are positive

and meaningful, others are negative and hurtful. This

session explores such relationships and suggests

making choices that lead to happy and safe

relationships. There are nine activities in this session.

SESSION THREE

Managing differences and conflicts

Differences and conflicts are natural to any

relationship, and this session provides ways of

resolving them in a positive manner. There are four

activities in this session.