INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Can developing interpersonal relationships be tutored in classrooms? The question requires introspection. In a world ridden with strife, interpersonal relationships need due attention.  Gone are the days when children grew up in joint families learning the family values from their grandparents, being mentored by uncles and aunts. Modern day has brought in a plethora of facilities to take pride in but in turn we all have to pay the price for being glued to gadgets all the time.
Interpersonal relationships have gone for a toss. A child born in a nuclear family only recognises his mom and dad. In a nuclear set up grooming a child is a very difficult task. The onus falls completely on the one set of adults, keeping them under stress all the time. Growing and gathering around a bunch of people boosts confidence and the ability to interact with individuals of all ages. This factor is totally amiss in a nuclear family, especially when both parents are working. This accentuates boredom and induces low self-confidence. More members are equivalent to more support against any contingency, but nuclear families clearly lack members.
Just like parents put in their heart and soul in developing academic skills, interpersonal skills too need to be taught early. Children learn more by watching the people around them. Children don't inherently know how to communicate. Teaching good interpersonal communication is essential and it must be done through demonstration. Such skills may include active listening, clear and calm speaking and not interrupting.
Undoubtedly relationships are important for one's overall physical and emotional happiness. Relationships help fight loneliness while also giving a sense of purpose in life. For instance,the closeness you feel with your family and friends is an essential part of your social support.
Interpersonal skills are important for children because they dictate how a child will relate with others and succeed in life.
As children develop so do their interpersonal and social skills, around siblings and peers. Children learn to share and also to be assertive and persuasive. As children learn language they learn how to communicate in increasingly complex ways. At still relatively young ages children know how to communicate differently to different people-parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers and other people. Children learn interpersonal and social skills based on their experiences-by what worked in the past. Young babies may scream to let their parents know they are hungry, a baby learns that when it screams it gets food and therefore continues with this behaviour. Of course screaming for food becomes less acceptable the older you get-once some simple language has been learned it is more acceptable to ask for food. Later with the right encouragement, children will learn that using sentences including the word 'please' to ask for food may be their best strategy for success.
Interpersonal skills, however, go far beyond social niceties such as being polite and civil. As children develop communication skills so their interpersonal and social skills also mature.
Positive interpersonal relationships in early years, especially with main caregivers, are crucial. When the caregiver repeatedly pampers, feeds, cleans, talks, rocks and cares for the child in a loving way, the developing brain is stimulated. These interactions modulate the behavioral patterns related to the early stimulation of brain areas. Consistency in the interaction of the child and the caregivers is most needed for optimal child development. The school in this regard plays a crucial role. It is a place where the child makes friends and mentors. Developing interpersonal skills is really important for students for better learning, expressing themselves to others, personality development and improving academics too. It is considered that students who have good interpersonal skills have a successful career and personal life too.