Teach conflict resolution skills

Why should I do it:

Many students lack basic skills necessary for solving and resolving daily conflicts with other students, adults, authority figures, etc
Enables and empowers students to be more independent and highly functioning
Reduces teacher’s time “putting out fires”
Increases instructional time
Promotes maturity
Improves self confidence
Reduces tattling, bickering, and disruptions
 

When should I do it:

Conflict resolution skills are good to teach all kids in your classes at the beginning of the year and then again once a month to keep the strategies fresh in kids minds
When students bicker, argue, and fight a lot
When you lose time due to student conflicts and disagreements
When a student is being suspended a lot due to fighting and conflicts with students and adults
When students have trouble compromising, taking turns, sharing, etc
 

How do I do it:

There are many skills and strategies for teaching kids conflict resolution, many of which can be found and explored below under support & resources
These lessons and ideas for teaching the skills, found below, can be done with individual students, a small group, or the whole class
Conflict resolution skills should be taught and revisited on a regular basis and should include role playing to practice the skills
When students fail to use the taught skills, have them reflect on how they could have handled the situation or conflict and role play it with them
Model propper conflict resolution skills for your kids with any opportunity you get, and point out to the students afterward how you used the skills