Conflict Management: Grades K - 1

Objective

• To learn fair methods for settling conflicts
• To practice these methods

Activity

• Explain that a conflict is when two or more people cannot agree on something. Ask for volunteers to give examples of when they didn't agree with someone.
• Explain the benefits of settling conflicts quickly and fairly: "From time to time we all have conflicts. We can't always be the first one in line, play with our first choice of toy, or watch a certain program on TV if someone else wants to watch a different show. Sometimes so much time is spent fighting that none of us are able to do what we want."
• Ask, "When the conflict is settled in a way that isn't fair, how do people feel?" Discuss the fact that one person may feel pretty good, while the other may feel pretty bad.
• Explain that today they are going to talk about some ways to settle conflicts fairly. "When you and your friend both want to play with the same toy, how can you solve this conflict fairly?" Write down their ideas and discuss the fairness of each. Then discuss as many of the following methods as the children's concentration will allow:
• Chance - "To solve a conflict, you can flip a coin or play the 'rock, paper, scissors' game. Demonstrate how to play this game and have children practice.
• Taking turns - "Suppose you and your friend want to play with the same truck. To solve the conflict fairly, your friend could play with the truck first and then you could play with it." Tell children that they can use a timer to be fair.
• Apologizing - "Sometimes we accidentally bump into another child or do something else where we hurt someone, but not on purpose. This kind of conflict can be solved by saying, 'I'm sorry.'"
• Sharing - Explain what sharing is and have the children give examples of times a conflict could be solved by sharing.
• Have the children brainstorm some examples of conflict. Then have them practice solving them with the methods above.