What’s in a Developmental Relationship?
Participants are introduced to Search Institute’s developmental relationships framework and begin to map developmental relationships in their own lives.
What’s in a Developmental Relationship? Mapping People Who Shape Our Lives is a 30-minute activity that introduces participants to Search Institute’s developmental relationships framework. It invites participants to begin mapping developmental relationships in their own lives.
The developmental relationships framework identifies five elements (and 20 specific actions) that can strengthen and build relationships that help young people thrive.
Planning and Preparation: This activity can be done with any number of participants. You’ll need copies of “The Developmental Relationships Framework” handout and “My Developmental Relationships” map and a pen or pencil and half sheet of paper for each participant. It can be done in any setting, but participants will need a hard surface to write on.
Developmental Relationship Element: All.
CASEL Competencies: Self-awareness.
Objective: Build and strengthen relationships among participants and between participants and leaders. Introduce Search Institute's developmental relationships framework.
Activity
What’s in a Developmental Relationship?
Resource Audience
Resource Type
Read Time
Participants
# of Participants
Task Group Size
Task Length
More Activities to Build Strong Relationships in Your Classroom or Group

Video
They Shape Who We Are
They Shape Who We Are is a five-minute video introducing the importance of Developmental Relationships in young people's lives

Guide
Social Capital Assessment + Learning for Equity (SCALE) Measures
The Social Capital Assessment + Learning for Equity (SCALE) Measures User Guide and Technical Manual are tools that help organizations build social capital.

Report / Brief
Educator to Educator Relationships: Actions
The developmental assets framework identifies 40 research-based, positive experiences and qualities that influence young people’s development.
Related Resources on Relational Practices

Activity
Count to Twenty
Participants count to 20 as a group. Each participant must say at least one number, but no one can speak at the same time or say the same number.

Activity
What Makes You Happy?
Activity where participants share their deep interests, talents, or activities — their sparks — with a group.

Activity
Get to Know You and Establish Group Norms
This downloadable activity is designed to build trust between group members by exploring what members have in common and what makes them unique.