From home to the playground to the classroom, conflict is an inevitable part of a child’s social world. While disagreements and clashes are normal, it’s crucial to equip children with the skills to navigate conflicts constructively.
By learning effective conflict resolution strategies early on, children can build strong, healthy relationships that last them well throughout their lives.
The Basics of Healthy Relationships
Relationships, whether with friends, family, or peers, thrive on a foundation of mutual understanding, respect, and empathy.
When children learn to appreciate different perspectives and communicate their needs clearly, they’re better equipped to resolve conflicts positively.
Encourage children to:
Practice Active Listening
Teach them to listen attentively without interrupting, paraphrasing what they’ve heard to ensure understanding.
Listening games like:
The Telephone Game This classic game helps reinforce the importance of careful listening.
Simon Says In this game, children have to listen carefully and follow instructions that begin with “Simon says…
Listening Scavenger Hunt Give children a list of sounds or objects to listen for (e.g., a bird chirping, a car honking).This game keeps them tuned in to their auditory surroundings.
Express Feelings
Help them identify and articulate their emotions using “I” statements, like “I feel frustrated when…”
Activates like:
Emotion Charades Write different emotions (happy, sad, angry, scared, etc.) on slips of paper. Have children take turns acting out the emotion without using words while others guess what they’re expressing.
Emotion Sculptures Have children use play-dough, clay, or their bodies to sculpt different emotional expressions or scenarios that represent various feelings.
Musical Emotions Play music with different emotional tones (happy, sad, angry, etc.). Children move and dance to express the emotion they think the music conveys.
Show Empathy
Guide them to consider how the other person might be feeling and validate those emotions.
Story books that provide valuable lessons for our early years young readers
The Wheel on the School (Written by Meindert DeJong , Illustrated by Maurice Sendak )
A heartwarming story about a group of schoolchildren who work together to bring storks back to their village.
Teaches cooperation, problem-solving, and community building1.
Enemy Pie (Written by Derek Munson , Illustrated by Tara Calahan King )
A delightful tale of a boy who learns an unexpected lesson about friendship and understanding.
Demonstrates how to turn an “enemy” into a friend through empathy and shared experiences
Max and Bird (Written and Illustrated by Ed Vere)
Max, a kitten, befriends Bird, who is not what Max expected.
Encourages acceptance, understanding, and finding common ground
The Story of Ferdinand (Written by Munro Leaf, Illustrated by Robert Lawson)
The gentle bull Ferdinand prefers smelling flowers over fighting. Celebrates individuality and nonviolent choices
Pig War : How a Porcine Tragedy Taught England and America to Share (Written by Emma Bland Smith, Illustrated by Alison Jay)
Based on a true historical event, this book explores conflict resolution between two nations over a pig. Highlights negotiation, compromise, and peaceful solutions
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type (Written by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Betsy Lewin)
Farm animals use negotiation skills to improve their working conditions.
Playfully introduces the concept of collective bargaining and compromise
The Wall in the Middle of the Book (Written and Illustrated by Jon Agee)
A humorous story about a knight who believes a wall protects him from danger.
Encourages questioning assumptions and bridging divides
The Hueys in It Wasn’t Me (Written and Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers)
A quirky tale of blame-shifting among a group of egg-shaped characters. Promotes honesty, responsibility, and conflict resolution
That’s Not How You Do It! (Written and Illustrated by Ariane Hofmann-Maniyar)
Two friends, a cat and a squirrel, learn to appreciate each other’s unique approaches. Celebrates diversity and finding common ground
Jinx and the Doom Fight Crime! (Written by Lisa Mantchev, Illustrated by Samantha Cotterill)
Jinx the cat and Doom the dog team up to solve neighborhood mysteries. Emphasizes teamwork, communication, and problem-solving
The Power of Compromise
Compromise is often the key to resolving conflicts amicably. Teach kids that finding a middle ground, where both parties’ needs are partially met, is better than insisting on getting their way entirely.
Celebrate small victories, and remind them that good relationships involve give and take.