23 Nov Teaching Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving
Learning how to resolve conflicts is a crucial ability that will help students both in the classroom and in their daily lives. Kids will use conflict resolution techniques not only in school but also as they get older. In primary school, students will acquire conflict resolution techniques that will aid them in adulthood. So, how can primary school students learn conflict resolution in the classroom?
This article will explain what conflict is, what conflict resolution is, and what kinds of kid-friendly conflict resolution activities there are.
What Exactly Is Conflict?
A disagreement or issue involving two or more persons is called a conflict. Anyone can experience it, even enemies or closest friends. Most conflicts begin gently but escalate over time, becoming significant issues. In order to properly instruct students on how to prevent conflicts from developing into serious issues in the classroom, teachers may need to describe conflict deeper.
What Is a Conflict Resolution?
When an issue arises, it’s critical to comprehend all sides of the story and approach the situation peacefully. This is what’s known in the classroom as peaceful issue solving or conflict resolution. Being able to resolve conflicts is a valuable ability for both the classroom and daily life.
You can support students’ success in other areas of their education and lives by having them practise and adopt healthy approaches to resolving interpersonal conflicts.
How Can Conflict Resolution Be Taught?
The process of teaching conflict resolution is multi-step. You must teach kids how to analyse conflicts if you want to really teach them how to resolve them. They must be able to locate the issue and make an effort to determine its root cause.
Teach About Empathy
Understanding is followed by empathy. After learning about conflict, students ought to develop empathy for all of the other students involved. Since conflict impacts multiple parties, it’s critical to understand the feelings of all involved in order to find a solution.
Teach About Understanding
Kids must comprehend what conflict is and how it may be detrimental to an individual. This kind of comprehension will enable students to see the significance of conflict resolution.
Teach About Responsibility
There are multiple parties involved in a conflict. The kids who are engaged in the disagreement must be able to accept responsibility for their own actions. They must own their error and be prepared to make the necessary atonement, regardless of whether they initiated the issue or merely worsened it.
Activities for Conflict Resolution
Kids learn best through practice. This is especially true for resolving conflicts. Your students will love learning conflict resolution when you provide them with engaging learning opportunities. It gets more and more natural the more they practise. Here are some fun activities to incorporate into your conflict resolution lessons if you’re excited to start teaching it in your classroom.
1.Play Games
Learning to get along and establish ground rules together is a part of playing games with peers. In the event that problems come up while playing, they can cooperate calmly to find a solution and carry on. Playing the entertaining card game “What the Solution?” requires students to think of solutions for everyday issues.
2. Promise of a Peacemaker
Encourage kids to understand the difference between a peacemaker and a peacebreaker. Let them promise to keep classroom peace maintained.
3. Writing
Encourage kids to illustrate a tale with a problem and a solution by writing it down or drawing it. This can be written as a screenplay or as a short story. Invite students to read aloud or share their experiences with the class and then facilitate a discussion on how they would handle a similar situation.
Take Away
Any educator understands that conflict between kids is normal both inside and outside of the classroom, whether it’s a disagreement about who is out during a hot game on the playground or a deeper collision of principles or egos.
Helping kids settle conflicts with their peers is a crucial part of classroom management. However, giving answers to students’ problems instead of letting them figure things out on their own might hinder the development of critical problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
It is essential that kids acquire these skills at an early age, as this will be critical to their future success in interpersonal relationships.