As human beings, we are deeply social. The need to connect, belong, and cooperate is built into who we are. When children and teenagers feel safe and accepted, their curiosity opens, their motivation strengthens, and their capacity to learn expands.

What do young people truly need from us? First of all, they need relationships that are warm, structured, and consistent. Relationships in which they are given love, support, encouragement, expectations, boundaries, consequences, and the power of adult example.

Wherever people live, learn, or work together, differences will appear. Opinions, goals, and feelings sometimes clash — and that’s perfectly normal. What matters is how we respond. Teaching conflict resolution skills help young people learn to listen, express feelings respectfully, and search for solutions that preserve both relationships and self-respect.

What do young people need most from us? Love that says “you are seen and safe.” From early attachment to teen years, unconditional acceptance fuels curiosity, resilience, and courage. Let's look at why teacher presence matters—especially during transitions—and how simple daily gestures (listening, naming, noticing) build belonging for every student, including the most vulnerable.

Preschool and school is a social laboratory where young people practice the art of living together. Helping them build empathy, communication, cooperation, and altruism—through modeled behavior, collaborative tasks, conflict repair, and daily rituals that make kindness visible—means helping them develop skills that remain long after grades fade away.

As human beings, we are social by nature. The need to care and contribute is deeply ingrained in us. Supporting this natural drive helps young people build not only strong relationships, but also a lasting sense of meaning and happiness.

No single factor shapes wellbeing more than relationships. Trusting, caring bonds multiply joy, gratitude, and meaning—and buffer stress and loss. In classrooms and preschools, relationship skills are not “extras”; they are core learning.

Learning and strengthening emotional intelligence in preschools and schools builds a bridge between knowing and caring, between thinking and feeling. It helps create classrooms where learning is not only about knowledge — but also about understanding ourselves and one another, fostering resilience, collaboration, and motivation to grow.