Conflict is a fact of life. Although many people think only of its ugly or unfortunate results, some conflict . . .
Conflict is a fact of life. Although many people think only of its ugly or unfortunate results, some conflict is actually necessary and good. It all depends on how a particular conflict is handled.
Children, like adults, face many conflicts in their lives. Maybe someone teases a child, a best friend suddenly doesn't want to be best friends anymore, or the "in" group at school won't let him or her sit with them in the cafeteria. Children also encounter conflicts at home, often involving possessions, responsibilities, or privacy. In their neighborhoods, they may have to deal with older children who bully and threaten them. As they grow older, they may face difficult moral decisions as they deal with peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol.
Children learn how to manage conflict in the same way they learn to do many other things--by watching what goes on around them. They learn from you; from teachers and other adults; from other children; and from television, movies, and other media. How can we all help them learn the best strategies? Here are some tips: