“No one likes dealing with conflict,” begins an article by Juliann Garey on the Child Mind Institute website.
“But no matter how hard we try to avoid them, arguments, fights and disagreements are a fact of life — for adults and for kids. And not dealing with conflicts when they arise can negatively impact relationships and lead to further interpersonal challenges down the road.
“Conflict may not be pleasant, but it doesn’t have to feel catastrophic. Teaching kids practical skills to manage it in a healthy way will help them navigate everything from small squabbles (‘She took my doll!’) to big issues (‘I don’t know if I want to be your friend anymore’) both now and as they grow up.”
The Exchange Reflections, Conflict Resolution Strategies with Preschoolers, provides questions to help educators reflect on their experiences guiding preschoolers through conflicts, fostering social-emotional growth, and empowering them to resolve disputes. Based on the Exchange article “Six Small Steps and a Giant Leap for Conflict Resolution” by Cheryl Polk and Kenneth Sherman, this Reflections has been a popular one for staff meetings and college course discussions.
