It’s not enough to say that relationships matter.
We’ve known for decades that high-quality relationships are essential to young people’s growing, learning, and thriving—including for those young people who face serious stresses in their lives and in the world around them. But many professionals who work directly with youth–especially youth from marginalized communities–face challenges in forming well-rounded relationships that connect with the diverse needs of youth.
In fact, we know that 20% of youth report having no developmental relationships in their life, and another 20% report only having one.
Educational success and social-emotional development blossom when caring adults and supportive peers are present in young people’s lives, and build developmental relationships.
Relationships are developmental when they help young people discover who they are, nuture abilities to shape their own lives, and learn how to engage with and contribute to the world around them.
Our research team identified five critical elements of developmental relationships:
- Express Care
- Challenge Growth
- Provide Support
- Share Power
- Expand Possibilities
In the Developmental Relationships – Bring Intention to Practice workshop, you'll learn to be intentional and inclusive in strengthening developmental relationships with young people.
