Conflicts among children are commonplace. But parents don’t have to intervene in order to settle the dispute: it is better if children develop the following skills. There are many reasons for a dispute. This is nerve-wracking for parents – regardless of whether the conflict is between siblings, with the child next door, or actually with the best friend. But mom and dad can teach their children skills at an early age on how to settle disputes and resolve conflicts themselves. After all, every child is a social being! There are 5 skills that children can use to resolve conflicts.
5 Skills That Children Should Use To Resolve Conflicts
Learn To Perceive Your Own Feelings
Feelings help to describe experiences, reactions and needs. They control behavior and enable us to build and maintain relationships. Good feelings are positive: they add variety to life. Uncomfortable feelings are like a watchdog: they show that something is wrong. Therefore, support your children in classifying their feelings and learning to name them.
Have Yourself Under Control
Having yourself under control means being able to control yourself even in challenging situations. If the behavior of others is perceived as disturbing and distracting, many children feel tense. This can lead to physical violence that injures other people or destroys objects. Children can learn to be in control. Find out what situations pressurize, provoke, or stress your children and help them develop nonviolent responses.
Know The Body Language
Humans signal, mostly unconsciously, what happens inside them and how they feel. Children who are proficient in human body language have useful skills. Because the body expression makes unspoken feelings, intentions, and thoughts of the other more visible and allows conflicts to be defused at an early stage.
No Insult
Receiving criticism is just as difficult as being calm when dealing with insults. Criticism can be hard to accept, but it can also be justified and hit the mark. Insults, on the other hand, are a nasty means of exacerbating conflicts. Responding to criticism or insults with counter-criticism exacerbates the conflict. How your child can defuse the situation: Inhale deeply through their nose and exhale their mouth, listen to criticism in peace, see what feelings develop and choose the answer wisely, eg: “It annoys me when you insult me.” I don’t like it that you call me that. ”“ What you say makes me sad.” ,“ Why are you talking to me like that? ”
Be Ready To Forgive
A readiness for reconciliation is the basic prerequisite for resolving conflicts and making peace. Those who are willing to make reconciliation approach the other person, respect them and seriously try to find a good solution for both sides. Children who are ready for reconciliation are peacemakers because they want to clarify the matter, are patient, can make good decisions and, despite strong feelings, intend to resolve the conflict for the better. It is especially nice when at the end of the conversation the conflicting parties, for example, embrace, shake hands or give each other a handshake or give each other a loving cuddle as a sign of reconciliation.