Conflict is a Necessary Tool

What is your vision for resolving conflicts in your classroom? What is the "why" behind that vision? Engaging in conflict resolution is your way of connecting your vision to your purpose. The ability to assess your emotions and cope with conflict situations, among other skills, will prepare you for dealing with conflict respectfully, both personally and in the classroom. The most significant benefit is that you will teach, encourage, and demonstrate to children how to do the same.

Executive function is the skill set that develops through practice and is needed to navigate through conflict successfully. We educators play an essential role in helping young children develop executive function skills and resolve disputes effectively.

Our frontal lobe houses our learning and reasoning abilities for resolving conflicts. A majority of children and many adults resolve conflicts impulsively, relying on the lower parts of the brain that control their behavior and emotions rather than pausing to think about conflict from multiple perspectives.

We usually respond to conflict in three ways: by fighting, shutting down, or avoiding. Preschool teachers often avoid conflict resolution in the classroom because it can be uncomfortable, take time, and require us to manage our own emotions.

Do you avoid conflict? Consider how you resolve conflict. Do you struggle with resolving conflict? When and how does a person learn to resolve conflict? Also, how can you teach these skills to a child if you lack these skills yourself?

Most childcare educators spend some part of their day resolving conflicts related to children's developing executive function capacities. The teacher's relationship with each child plays a significant role in the child's success in a preschool classroom. Building healthy relationships with and between children in your care is essential to minimizing behavior issues, establishing trust, and resolving conflicts positively. This may require a shift in not only your approach to conflict but your perspective on how you view conflict.

It is common to experience conflict within ourselves, with those we love, and in our surroundings. Conflict helps build relationships, develop executive function, and teach us how to engage with others. Conflict is a necessary tool, and learning to navigate it effectively is beneficial to your personal growth and building relationships with children and families.