Permission is approval to do something that you wouldn't be allowed to do without asking first. When you get permission from your teacher to use the restroom during class, or permission from your parents to go to a friend's house, you're getting their okay to proceed.

Permission shows respect for other people's authority and helps maintain trust. Your parents give you permission to ride your bike to the park because they trust you to follow safety rules. Your teacher gives you permission to work with a partner because you've shown you can stay focused.

Some situations require explicit permission, meaning someone directly says, “Yes, you may do that.” Other situations have implicit permission: your family might have a general understanding that you can grab a snack from the pantry without asking every single time.

Handling permission, and the freedom it gives you, responsibly can help build trust over time.