Chapter 10 Parent Letter and Activities

Chapter 10: Skills for Healthy Relationships

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Your teen’s health class is currently studying relationships. Because interaction with people is a necessary and important part of life and personal development, your son or daughter will examine the dynamics of social interaction. Your teen will look at relationships with family
members, friends, and peers, and identify qualities and character traits that promote healthy
interaction.

The following topics will be discussed in this chapter:

Foundations of Healthy Relationships.

Communicating Effectively.

Resolving Conflict.

Please reinforce our classroom work by discussing with your son or daughter one or more
of the following topics: Ask your teen to outline the different types of relationships in which every person plays a role, focusing on friendships, family, and community relationships. Ask your son or daughter to explain how these relationships impact everyday life. Ask your teen to explain the character traits he or she looks for in friends and how these traits are important to healthy relationships. Have your teen reflect on the positive character traits he or she brings to a relationship. Discuss the role of communication styles in building and maintaining relationships. Role-play different communication styles, contrasting passive, aggressive, and assertive methods. Do a similar role-play with listening skills. Present various interpersonal conflict situations to your teen, and ask him or her to explain how conflict resolution techniques can be used to solve each disagreement to everyoneès satisfaction.

Please plan other activities you think will help your teen develop and maintain positive
relationships. Thank you for supporting our classroom work. Feel free to contact me if you
wish to discuss your teen’s health education.

Sincerely,

Health Teacher