Understanding principles of developing positive relationships

1. 1 Effective communication is vital in developing positive relationships with children, young people and adults. Establishing a solid foundation, will help build trust and respect for one another. Children become at ease when receiving support and accessing the curriculum. This then has a positive impact on behaviour and learning in a school setting. Encouragement and Praise will raise confidence and the child’s own expectations, therefore boosting self-esteem. Engaging children and young people can be done by spending time with each individual, finding common ground and sharing interests, this is also another important factor in developing a positive relationship. At this time children are developing their own concepts of the world so it is important to be a positive role model. In a specialist school setting it is crucial in providing stability and consistency for the children, understanding individual needs and following behaviour plans. It is also very important to be clear and precise so children and young people know what our expectations are of them. Effective communication amongst staff in school is important because staff will work considerably better as a team. Staff will then be more likely to ask for help and support from colleagues if they need it. It enables the school to be organised and operate much more efficiently. An example of this would be a missed telephone call. It is more likely that the message would be passed on if positive relationships were established amongst staff members. Building positive relationships creates a much brighter school and drives staff to provide the best support for pupils because they love coming to work. 1. 2 The principles in which to build positive relationships with children and young people are to ascertain a mutual respect and always uphold a positive attitude towards them. Spend time getting to know the pupil as an individual, researching their interests and asking questions. On the other hand, it is also vital to listen to the pupil. Be sensitive towards any concerns or problems that they may have and show empathy. Try to encourage independence and provide choices when possible, showing a child or young person they can achieve on their own. Children exhibit positive behaviours when given a choice. Humour has an effective impact on maintaining and building relationships with children and young people. Providing a fun learning environment is the key to engaging children and young people. Creating a birthday list in class for all the pupils is beneficial, Along with personalised reward charts and systems. It is crucial to provide a calm, safe and happy environment for the children. If they feel comfortable they will communicate a lot more effectively and contribute to class discussion. Always break down information or instructions clearly and or in a way in which the pupil will understand. Asking the pupil to repeat proves to be effective. For example, if the person has ASD, offer time for the pupil to respond.