You can save yourself a lot of headache by learning basic skills for conflict resolution for teachers. Your students won’t always see eye to eye with each other. So it’s important that you, as their teacher, know how to resolve conflicts between them. That way, you can keep the peace in your classroom and prevent any further conflict from escalating.
So today, we’re going to go over some basic conflict resolution skills that every teacher should know. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the tools you need to resolve any conflict between your students.
Basic Skills in Conflict Resolution for Teachers Between Their Students
Establish rules for conflict resolution right away
You can start things off on the right foot by establishing rules for conflict resolution at the beginning of the school year. This way, your students will know what to do if they have a disagreement with another student. If you’re lucky, they may never have to use these rules. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Some basic rules you can establish include:
- Use respectful language
- Listen to each other
- Try to see things from the other person’s perspective
- Take turns speaking
- Keep an open mind
Whenever you can, demonstrate these skills yourself and point it out. This will serve as an example your students can follow. They’ll be far more likely to listen to these rules if they witness you using them in front of them.
Encourage students to resolve conflicts peacefully on their own
It’s important to encourage your students to resolve conflicts on their own. This way, they can learn how to communicate and compromise with each other. Of course, you should always be there to help if they need it. But try to let them work things out on their own whenever possible.
Try to see yourself as more of a mediator rather than a rule enforcer (e.g. saying “No arguing allowed!”). This way, you can help your students resolve their conflicts without taking sides. And if they see you as a fair and impartial mediator, they’ll be more likely to trust you and listen to your advice in the future.
Help students understand and respect each other’s feelings
Anytime an argument arises, there are usually hurt feelings involved. So it’s important that you help your students understand and respect each other’s feelings. This way, they can resolve their conflicts without causing any further hurt feelings.
A good way to do this is to encourage your students to use “I” statements. For example, rather than saying “You’re being so stupid!” they could say “I’m feeling frustrated because I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.” This simple change in language can make a big difference in how the other person perceives the situation. It’ll feel less like an attack and more like a request for help.
Coach students through the resolution process step-by-step
Once you’ve helped your students understand each other’s feelings, it’s time to start working towards a resolution. But rather than just telling them what to do, try coaching them through the process step-by-step. This way, they can learn how to resolve conflicts on their own.
Some steps you can take include:
- Identify the problem
- Come up with several possible solutions
- Choose the best solution
- Put the plan into action
- Evaluate the results
If you can help your students resolve their conflicts peacefully, you’ll be doing them a huge favor. Not only will they be able to get along better with each other, but they’ll also learn valuable skills that they can use in the future.
Reward students for resolving conflicts peacefully
Last but not least, don’t forget to reward your students for resolving conflicts peacefully. This will encourage them to continue using these skills in the future. And it’ll show them that you’re proud of their efforts. It can be a short but genuine compliment or a small prize (like extra recess time). Whatever you choose, just make sure it’s something that they’ll appreciate.
Conclusion For Conflict Resolution For Teachers
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to resolving any conflict between your students. Just remember to stay calm, be fair, and always encourage your students to communicate and compromise with each other. With a little practice, they’ll be resolving conflicts like pros in no time!
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