Conflict Resolution Activities for Kids

It is so important for children to learn how to resolve conflicts in their lives. It’s a difficult thing to learn, especially considering that so many adults have not developed really good conflict resolution skills. Even if you struggle with this area yourself, there are conflict resolution activities for kids you can use to help your children learn these important skills.

Language Matters

Good conflict resolution skills start with great interpersonal communication skills. One of the easiest conflict resolution activities for kids you can employ is to have discussions during regular family meals. Don’t let them grunt and point to the potato salad. Make them use full sentences to ask for seconds. Engaging in regular, open dialogue will help your children learn how to master the language and put it to work for them.

When discussing problems, encourage your children to explain in words how certain things made them feel. Talk openly about their feelings, discuss what steps could have been taken to work through the situation. Ask them to put themselves in the other person’s shoes and try to see their point of view. This will help your child to understand his or her own emotions while also becoming aware of how other people feel.

Lead by Example

Some parents hate to fight in front of the children. They don’t want the kids to be upset, and they think that the only way to show a united front is to never argue. By doing so, however, you are depriving your children of a valuable opportunity. If you and your spouse are able to resolve disagreements civilly and effectively, then your children could benefit greatly from watching you two work through conflicts. If you and your spouse belittle each other, call names and yell, then you should start working on changing your own conflict resolution methods.

Role-Playing

There are few conflict resolution activities for kids that are more effective than role playing. When your child talks to you about a problem he is having at school, role playing can help them really learn the skills they need. When role playing, you should respond the way your child’s peers would. Encourage your child to use the solutions that were discussed over dinner. If your child practices saying, “I can’t play with you when you’re being mean to me”, then your child will be more likely to remember and use this phrase later when the time comes.

Your children look to you to teach them and guide them. You can’t solve all of their problems for them, but you can prepare them for how to deal with them. Encourage them to expand their vocabulary and learn how to put words to their feelings. Encourage them to look at conflicts from different viewpoints, being prepared to play “devil’s advocate”, if necessary. Take time to model appropriate conflict resolution by employing positive resolution methods yourself. Finally, role play with your children to make them more confident in their new skills.