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From good morning wishes to those we live with, to interactions with others we work or go to school with, to time spent shopping or driving or involved in after-school activities, right through until the very end of the day. Interactions every day. Opportunity to build a relationship. To show love, care and affection for others.

There is much in life that hinges on the effectiveness of our interpersonal skills. Our desire is for our children to be positive, functioning members of society. We understand that academic and technical skills are essential for operating well in society. We are also learning that social and emotional competence is valuable as well. Temperament is one characteristic of a person that provides a foundation for a relationship and influences social development. There is also ample opportunity to learn the skills that bring excellence in relationship.

Schools are an excellent place for social and emotional learning, both informally and through direct instruction. We have focussed this term on being aware of our interactions with others to care for their needs, to deeper develop the social and emotional understanding of our students in their interactions with others. As part of our Building Purposeful Lives framework, the relate quadrant which showcases Riley Relate for our ELC and Primary students, builds on the dispositions of communicating, collaborating, empathising and emulating. It is here that we have focussed our attention this term in assemblies and class devotions.

We all can care for the needs of others, in every interaction that we have. Following are a few ways that we have been encouraging our students to develop lives that show excellence in their relationship with others.

• Eye contact: Looking in the eyes of the person whom you are talking to. While this seems like such a simple action, it is incredibly powerful in communicating care and interest to the listener. Positive eye contact helps build rapport with the person you are talking to, gives them a sense of involvement in the conversation and connects them to the discussion. Making eye contact with someone while they are talking helps them to feel valued and encouraged.
• Answering others: When someone wishes you a good day, to stop, look them in the eye, and respond to the person, sometimes with a comment wishing them a great day as well. Taking the time to stop, make eye contact and show genuine care for the person we are speaking with builds a positive relationship and a sense of real interest. It shows that you aren’t just looking to meet your own needs but are willing to spend time caring for the needs of others.
• Ask a question in return: If you are asked a question in conversation, you should ask a question in return. If someone asks, ‘Did you have a good weekend?’, it would be best if you answered the question and then asked a question in return. This shows that you are just as interested in them as they are in you