Young Children Resolving Conflict

 

Children get angry once in a while and usually it's over a toy or space they don't want to share.  How do they deal with their conflict?  Most of the time they scream, hit or throw a temper tantrum.  Even though this is a normal way for children to react to conflict it's not the right way.  So what should they do?

• Children can learn to use their words to express their feelings instead of hitting or biting.  If children listen to each other instead of shouting they will understand how the other feels. 

• It's important for children to calm down and avoid mean words that will make the situation worse.

• Once the children involved in the conflict discuss the problem they can come up with a solution together.

Parents get angry too, so they can model appropriate ways for their children to deal with conflicts.