ABSTRACT
36The most basic definition of a relationship is where a person or thing is associated with something else, and where things are linked to each other in some way. This sounds a little cold and mechanical, because for us humans, relationships mean so much more. For us it is about a bond created by developing a close connection with someone else, which has at its core some of the most powerful emotions a human being can feel such as trust and love. It’s that feeling of being connected to family and friends, to groups, or to your community. A relationship is a bond of friendship that is influenced by the people that are part of our lives: our parents, our siblings, our friends, and our teachers. The development of close, trusting, and loving relationships early on sets the foundation for the success of all future relationships. But it is necessary to work at building these relationships so that children can learn to trust and love, and then independently connect with others in their own lives.
