Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) enhances the ability to communicate and connect with a range of people in healthy ways. In this section of the SEL Toolkit, we link to strategies and resources that will help youth work professionals teach relationship skills.
For curricula, additional activities, and resources for youth, visit Helping Youth Build Relationship Skills. For resources focusing on intimate partner violence prevention, visit Teen Dating Violence.
Model and Promote Positive Communication Skills
Active Listening and Feedback
These handouts are designed to help youth work professionals model and explain positive communication skills.
Positive and Constructive Feedback
"I" Messages
The U.S. Department of State "Diplomacy in Action" site includes a helpful page describing the positive use of "I" messages.
Web PageTeaching Resources for Youth Educators - A Source Book
Created by Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development, this collection of teaching materials includes activities, games, exercises, handouts, and worksheets that deal with interpersonal communication skills, relationships, conflict resolution, and public speaking.
Youth Engaged in Leadership and Learning
This manual from the John W. Gardner Center includes many exercises aimed at building communication and social skills.
Teach Social Skills and Relationship Education
Random Acts of Kindness: 6th-8th Grade Curriculum
This social emotional learning curriculum is designed to help schools create a culture of kindness. Each unit teaches core kindness concepts: respect, caring, inclusiveness, integrity, responsibility, and courage. Registration required.
Healthy Relationships Resource Kit
From Western Health in Newfoundland, this kit provides a wealth of activities to promote healthy relationships of all kinds among children and teens. Section 2 offers activities for grades 4 through 12.
Amaze: Healthy Relationships
Amaze offers animated videos covering a full range of sexual health topics, including healthy relationships. Videos are designed for young adolescents. Information and resources for educators are also provided.
4 Social/Emotional Skills You Can Easily Practice with Teens
Here, Nobel Coaching offers activities that help young people build listening and nonverbal communication skills.
Character Lab Playbooks
Playbooks from Character Lab offer brief, research-based tips and guidance on helping children develop specific character strengths.
Use Group Learning Strategies
Collaborative Learning
This handout includes collaborative learning activities and tips.
Jim Cain's Raccoon Circles
This collection of team-building activities is for both small and large groups. Many of the activities are intended to be done outdoors.
Group-Games.com
This is a database of free group games, icebreakers, and team-building activities.
Youth Adult Partnership Manual
This Innovation Center manual offers activities for youth and adults, both separately and jointly, in preparation for working together.
Teach Conflict Resolution Skills
Problem-Solving with Teenagers: Steps and Tips
The Raising Children Network describes six steps for working with a young person in order to reach a solution together.
Consensus - Action Planning
This handout describes an inclusive process for group planning.
KidsHealth in the Classroom: Conflict Resolution
These activities are linked to TeensHealth.org articles for teens on feelings, mental health, and relationships.
Research
Assessing Peer Conflict and Aggressive Behavior
This Child Trends brief discusses peer conflict and aggressive behaviors, ways to reduce these behaviors, and assessment.
What Works for Promoting and Enhancing Positive Social Skills
This Child Trends literature review of 38 programs identifies practices that work, or do not work, to promote positive social skills.