Fostering Positive Relationships in a Trying Time Using the Developmental Relationship Framework 5 Part Series
By: Tanvi M., Halton Youth Initiative Website Team
April 29, 2020
The COVID-19 crisis is a challenging time for everyone. It may be intimidating, however, during this time, adults should continue to strive to build developmental relationships with youth while they are in quarantine. According to research by the Search Institute, when young people experience developmental relationships with adults such as their parents or educators, our negative risk-taking behaviours are lower, our outcomes are better, and we are more likely to thrive in life. Search Institute’s article, Building Developmental Relationships During the COVID-19 Crisis, provides a checklist and outlines 5 main relationship building steps including; express care, challenge growth, provide support, share power and expand possibilities.
Provide Support: Help me complete tasks and reach goals Also, take an approach where you provide support and help someone complete tasks and reach goals. It is important to let them know that you are there to support them, and even just having that knowledge can help empower them.
Do this by:
Displaying strong listening skills, sympathy, empathy, and compassion (ex. ask them how they are feeling about themselves, the world, and the future). During the COVID-19 pandemic, this action can help them feel better and help you be more aware of their current feelings.
Contact others and mention staying connected (ex. contacting parents and guardians and helping them set up a call for their child to interact with others such as classmates, help employees hold calls with co-workers). For example, I regularly call my extended family, who live around the world, but during this uncertain time, being able to talk to them reassures me and I find being in their company to be enjoyable.
The examples given above are just a few listed among the many available. If you have any opinions on what actions someone can take to help create and maintain positive relationships, post them in a comment. Your comments can give insightful perspectives and help other readers as well.
In trying times, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, and other circumstances, these actions may seem simple, yet are essential as they can make a significant impact in someone’s life and help you foster positive relationships.
Photo credit - Tanvi M.
Kids Help Phone is always available for support at 1-800-668-6868 and kidshelpphone.ca
Youth in Halton also can contact ROCK Online at rockonline.ca