Conflicts are inevitable, even among young children, whether at home or in preschool. So, how can we equip our little ones with the necessary skills to resolve conflicts effectively and peacefully? This article will provide parents and teachers with helpful tips to help preschoolers “smooth out” disagreements and build positive relationships.
Understanding Conflict in Preschoolers
Conflicts in preschoolers often revolve around toy disputes, vying for the teacher’s attention, or simply disagreeing. It’s important to understand that these conflicts are a normal part of children’s social and emotional development. They help children learn to express themselves, understand others’ perspectives, and develop problem-solving skills.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, a preschool education expert at Hoa Sen Kindergarten in Hanoi, shared in her book “Raising Independent Children”: “When parents and teachers intervene too deeply in every minor conflict of children, they inadvertently rob them of valuable learning opportunities.”
Teaching Preschoolers Conflict Resolution Skills
So, what can parents and teachers do to support children? Here are some important skills to help preschoolers resolve conflicts:
Recognizing and Expressing Emotions
Children need to learn to recognize and name their emotions (“I’m angry because you took my toy”). At the same time, encourage children to express their emotions in a healthy way, such as talking about it instead of hitting.
Active Listening
Teach children to listen to others’ perspectives. “Listen to what your friend is saying!” Encourage children to ask questions to better understand their friend’s feelings and thoughts.
A group of preschool children attentively listening to their teacher during a lesson
Finding Solutions
Ask children, “What do you think we can do to make both of you happy?” Encourage children to come up with their own solutions, such as sharing toys, playing together, or taking turns.
Learning to Apologize and Forgive
Teach children to apologize when they are wrong and learn to forgive others. “Say sorry to your friend!”. “Your friend has apologized, forgive them!”. There’s a saying that emphasizes the value of forgiveness, helping children understand its importance.
The Story of Minh and An
Minh and An were fighting over a toy car. Both wanted to play and neither wanted to give in. The teacher approached, gently inquired, and encouraged the two children to express their feelings. After listening to both, the teacher suggested: “How about you two build a big car garage together and play together?”. Both Minh and An agreed and happily built the garage together.
Conclusion
Helping preschoolers resolve conflicts is a long-term process that requires patience and companionship from both family and school. Hopefully, the above sharing will provide parents and teachers with more helpful “tips” in the journey of raising children. Please leave a comment and share your experiences to build a safe and positive environment for your beloved children! Explore more useful articles on the “TUỔI THƠ” website. Contact hotline 0372999999 or visit 234 Hao Nam, Hanoi for 24/7 consultation by our team of experts.