Building Boundaries, Cultivating Connection: A Guide to Healthy Relationships

Abstract: In this engaging and empowering presentation for students in grades 6-12, we explore the essential skill of boundary-setting as a foundationfor creating and maintaining healthy relationships. Students will gain a deeper understanding of physical, emotional, and personal boundaries and learn how to identify signs of healthy ("green flags") and unhealthy ("red

flags") relationships. Through interactive discussions and reflective exercises,

participants will develop tools to recognize what makes them comfortable,identify non-negotiables, and seek meaningful qualities in their friendships

and connections. This presentation fosters self-awareness, confidence, and

the ability to navigate relationships with honesty, respect, and compassion.

Objectives:

• Empower students to identify and establish personal boundaries across different areas of their lives, including physical, emotional, and time management, to promote healthy self-respect and self-care.

• Equip students with the ability to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships by recognizing key indicators, such as "green flags" and "red flags," and understanding their significance.

• Foster the development of critical thinking and decision-making skills for cultivating meaningful, respectful, and balanced relationships built on trust, honesty, and mutual respect.

A Guide to Healthy Relationships

In this engaging and empowering presentation, students will explore the essential skill of boundary-setting as a foundation for creating and maintaining healthy relationships. Students will gain a deeper understanding of physical, emotional, and personal boundaries and learn how to identify signs of healthy (“green flags”) and unhealthy (“red flags”) relationship dynamics. Through interactive discussions and reflective exercises, participants will develop tools to recognize what makes them feel safe and respected, identify personal non-negotiables, and seek meaningful qualities in their friendships and family connections. Additionally, understanding self trust which creates selfworth. This presentation fosters self-awareness, confidence, and the ability to navigate relationships both in and outside of school with honesty, compassion, and clarity.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Identify and establish personal boundaries across different areas of their lives—including physical, emotional, and time-based boundaries—to support healthy self-respect and well-being.

• Distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships by recognizing key indicators, such as “green flags” and “red flags,” and understanding what those patterns mean.

• Strengthen relationship and communication skills by learning how to express needs, set limits, and respond to others in a way that promotes mutual respect and understanding.

• Develop critical thinking and decision-making skills to help them build and maintain meaningful, balanced relationships with peers, family, and others in their lives.

• Understanding self trust and how to establish it.