Building Strong Interpersonal Relationships in Children
You’ve probably heard it before: “Grades aren’t everything.” But what truly matters beyond the report card?
Recently, Minister for Education Mr Desmond Lee said in Parliament that Singapore will place greater focus on “developing life skills, interpersonal relationships, good character and values”, skills that will matter long after exams are over.
“Grades might still get you through the door, but how you are as a person determines how you do.”
— Mr Desmond Lee, Ministry of Education Speech, September 2025
In other words, what truly shapes a child’s success is not just academic knowledge but how they relate to people. And that is where strong interpersonal relationships come in.
Why Interpersonal Relationships Matter More Than Ever
Interpersonal relationships are the heart of every meaningful experience your child has, from working on a group project to resolving disagreements to making lifelong friends.
When children build positive relationships, they learn empathy, respect, and teamwork, which help them grow into confident and compassionate individuals.
But in today’s fast-paced and digital world, these skills often take a backseat to grades, gadgets, and screen time.
What Parents Often Notice
Many parents share similar concerns:
- “My child is kind but struggles to speak up.”
- “He prefers doing things alone because teamwork feels too stressful.”
- “She’s easily hurt when friends don’t agree with her.”
These small signs reveal that children are still learning how to manage emotions, communicate clearly, and connect with others — skills that are not always taught directly in school.
Even Ministry of Education (MOE) has acknowledged that education must move beyond high-stakes exams, with Mr Lee stating that the Government will “reduce the stakes in exams” and focus more on the holistic growth of students.
How Speech Academy Asia Supports MOE’s Vision
At Speech Academy Asia, we have long believed that communication and emotional intelligence are the foundation for success, both in school and in life.
Our programmes are designed to strengthen children’s interpersonal and communication skills through fun, experiential learning. Students participate in:
- Team-based challenges that build cooperation and trust
- Storytelling and roleplay that foster empathy and perspective-taking
- Leadership and presentation exercises that build confidence and clarity
Through our Leadership for Kids Programme, children learn to lead with empathy, work well in teams, and take initiative with confidence.
Our Speech and Drama Class builds self-expression and confidence, helping students understand emotions, perspectives, and the power of storytelling.
The Mental Wellness Workshop for Kids and Teens focuses on emotional resilience, teaching children how to manage stress and express themselves calmly and positively.
Our Public Speaking for Kids Programme helps children find their voice, speak confidently, and connect meaningfully with others, important skills that last a lifetime.
These programmes help students not only speak confidently but also listen actively, lead kindly, and relate meaningfully to others.
“My daughter used to freeze during group work, but now she shares ideas confidently and helps her classmates. The change has been incredible,” shared one parent from our Kids Programme.
This is exactly the kind of growth MOE envisions — students who are well-rounded, emotionally intelligent, and ready for the future.
How Parents Can Build Interpersonal Skills at Home
You play a huge role in shaping how your child connects with others. Try these small steps at home:
- Model empathy – Show kindness in your own daily interactions.
- Encourage teamwork – Let your child help with family decisions or chores.
- Discuss emotions openly – Help your child label and manage feelings.
- Praise relationship skills – Celebrate when your child shares, helps, or apologises.
These actions build the same foundations that your child strengthens in our classes, creating a consistent and positive learning environment.
Building Relationships That Last a Lifetime
At the end of the day, success is about more than intelligence. It is about connection. A child who can communicate with empathy, collaborate with confidence, and care for others is ready for any challenge ahead.
We nurture those qualities through communication and confidence-building programmes that align with MOE’s direction for holistic education.
👉 Explore our Kids and Teens Programmes
Help your child grow not just academically, but emotionally and socially, one conversation at a time.
📞 Call or WhatsApp: 9061 1715
📧 Email: info@speechacademyasia.com
📍 Visit Us: JEM, 52 Jurong Gateway Road, #06-01, Singapore 608550
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