Teaching kids to deal with conflict effectively and peacefully is perhaps the biggest challenge facing adults today. Children's disagreements both at home and at school can be noisy, physical and psychologically hurtful. The approach to conflict resolution learned and practised in childhood often stays for life.
Conflict is part of daily living. Effective people resolve conflict in ways that protect relationships, honour feelings and lead to a resolution. They neither avoid conflict nor do they use power to dominate others or win conflict.
It is useful for parents to provide a process for children to resolve individual differences peacefully and effectively. When two children have a disagreement that is upsetting to one or either then they may need adult assistance to resolve the conflict. One process that is both easy to learn and highly effective is the Face-Up conflict resolution process that is a variation on some common processes in use.
In the Face-up process children face each other and maintain eye contact. This helps for greater openness and understanding. It generally requires an adult to be present as a third party so parents may need to stick around to make sure it works effectively.
The steps involved in the Face-up process:
1. Safety first: To ensure safety and integrity it is important that both children are calm. Give them time and some help to regain control if they are angry or upset.
2. Feelings second: Using I-messages children tell each other how they feel about the situation. "I feel awful when you don't share your toys. I really feel like losing it because it is not fair." Focus on the feelings and don't let it get into recriminations or accusations.
3. Repeat third: Sometimes this process is enough to get a resolution or at least an apology. Repeat this procedure if necessary so both children feel they have been heard.
4. Resolve fourth: State the problem as you see it or as children identify it. Sometimes children just want to state their case and they will make their own suggestion about resolving it. "You can play with my old toys but I don't want you playing with my new toys for a while. They're special." "Okay."
5. Make-up fifth: An apology or an agreement is often enough however sometimes damage may need to be repaired or a follow-up talk from a parent about better behaviour may be appropriate.
Teaching children some simple rules for resolving conflict and a process such as the one above may well be one of the best investments in time and energy that a parent will make.
Michael Grose is Australia's leading parenting educator. He is the author of six books and gives over 100 presentations a year and appears regularly on television, radio and in print.
For further ideas to help you raise happy children and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au. While you are there subscribe to Happy Kids newsletter and receive a free report Seven ways to beat sibling rivalry.
post construction cleaning Deerfield .."Now don't you go getting any ideas, Harold.""Don't you get... Read More
Join a growing number of parents and teachers!Fact: Last year,... Read More
Is your babysitter watching the kids and your k9 family... Read More
Did you know that cooking with your kids is a... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
The subject of competition is one that provokes some pretty... Read More
"What age should my child start school?"This is a common... Read More
Just a couple of years ago Annie helped her parents... Read More
It was a day that I will forever be etched... Read More
My son is 6 yrs old. He came home the... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
If you were to ask 100 parents why they think... Read More
Thank you for all that you do in the classroom!... Read More
Pool safety should be on the minds of every parent... Read More
The 21st Century Problem in Schools: Bullying, and How to... Read More
Question 1 "How do I get more time to play?"... Read More
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is making... Read More
It's sometimes difficult to find ways to be involved with... Read More
Whether children attend public or private schools, they benefit when... Read More
Is your weekly shopping trip with the kids an absolute... Read More
You have a chore to do around the house, and... Read More
Reasearch into children's friendships shows that those children who are... Read More
There are many things to like about the television show... Read More
Q. What is the best way to teach safety awareness... Read More
Many parents seem to be more than a little confused... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Bannockburn ..Look around: Your kids are counting sleeps until the last... Read More
Here is a top secret to make your child genius... Read More
All responsible parents would want to support their children, find... Read More
Becoming a stepmother can undoubtedly be one of the most... Read More
Parents want their children to succeed in school. However, sometimes... Read More
Children are notoriously bad at drinking enough liquids. They are... Read More
1. STOP focusing on what you are going to make... Read More
Is your weekly shopping trip with the kids an absolute... Read More
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More
I still remember the scene vividly. I was getting out... Read More
Bullies are an ugly but very real part of childhood.... Read More
One of the questions I ask in parenting presentations is... Read More
There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More
Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More
There's a phrase that's become popular over the past few... Read More
Recess has begun disappearing in states all around the country.... Read More
The distressed adolescent often has feelings of abandonment, emotional detachment,... Read More
As parents, we strive to address all of the questions... Read More
Emotional OverloadMany single parents say they deal with a variety... Read More
While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they... Read More
You have just received a call from your child's teacher... Read More
"Setting the alarm on Sunday mornings is inhuman?..God should know... Read More
There are few thoughts as terrifying as the abduction of... Read More
Parents, do you have children who do poorly in school,... Read More
Parenting |