Social Awareness & Relationships - Insight Center: Boston After School & Beyond

Social awareness and relationships involves empathizing with and taking the perspective of others; understanding social and ethical norms for behavior; and cultivating positive, supportive connections with friends, classmates, and adults.

Research shows that social awareness and relationships are important for academic achievement and engagement in the classroom at all age levels. Young people with strong social awareness and relationship skills will show respect and consideration for their peers, form friendships with peers, share interests and ideas with adults, and demonstrate disagreement or ask questions in a respectful manner.

Playworks New England

Elementary

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Trinity Boston Foundation

Middle School

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Boston Student Advisory Council

High School

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Learn how exemplar programs in Boston are intentionally cultivating social awareness and relationships.

Programs can use the following strategies to work on social awareness and relationship skills with youth.

Research shows that building positive relationships with peers is an important skill for young people. Programs can use these resources to inform their practices.