We all want to learn and grow, don’t we? Even more, we want our children to learn and grow. We want our whole family to become wiser and more mature with each passing day. There is one ingredient that will promote this growth more than any other ingredient: relationships.

We learn more effectively and more in quantity when we learn from within relationships. Relationships drive our brain development. Relationships spark academic learning and nurture social learning. Relationships “shape our children’s ability to learn, connect, and thrive in life.” Of course, positive relationships shape that ability in a more positive manner, but relationships of all types will influence our ability to learn and grow. With that in mind, we can stimulate our children and our families to learn and grow by nurturing relationships in their lives.

First, we need to nurture our relationship with our children and our family.

• Spending time with our children and families will provide the time to develop stronger, healthier relationships.
• Engaging in playful interactions nurtures relationships and allows us to know one another on a more intimate level.
• Repairing relationships after any hurtful action or word, or some breach in trust, will keep relationships growing. This involves apologizing for inevitable mistakes made, asking for forgiveness, and then living out the “fruits of repentance” so the other person knows your apology was sincere.
• Connecting with one another emotionally, showing empathy and compassion, opens up a deeper world of intimate relationship. Practice empathy in your relationship.
• Listening to truly understand will help you gain empathy and understanding, both of which will deepen your relationships.
• Family dinners provide an excellent opportunity to nurture relationships, offering times for conversation and “syncing” your schedules around the opportunities to converse and share about your day.

Second, we can encourage positive relationships with those outside of our immediate family.

• Encourage your children to invite friends “over to the house” for fun, games, and food. Get to know the parents of your children’s friends as well.
• Become involved in healthy community activities such as sports leagues or neighborhood clubs.
• Become involved in a healthy religious community that supports family, community, and the sharing of life.
• Involve yourself in your children’s school and educational life. Participate in parent/teacher conferences.

Remember, by encouraging and nurturing healthy relationships you open up the possibilities of greater learning and growth. Relationships help shape our children’s brains (and our own brains), preparing them for learning and growth, nurturing learning and growth, and supporting that learning and growth.