Conflict is an inevitable part of life. From disagreements with playmates to clashes with siblings or teachers, children, too, experience their fair share of conflict. Yet, teaching children how to constructively manage conflicts is a pivotal life skill.
In today's blog post, we'll be exploring a unique, literature-based approach to help your child become better at resolving conflicts. Cue in: children's books! Yes, you read that right! We're delving into how these simple textual companions can become a powerful tool in conflict resolution.
Why Use Children's Books?
Children's books are undeniably magical - they whisk away little readers to enchanting worlds full of fascinating characters. But, beyond the promise of wonder and adventure, children's books can indeed pack powerful life lessons. They help children understand emotions, empathize, and offer solutions to real-world problems likeminded to their scale of comprehension.
Choosing the Right Books
Not all books may serve the purpose of teaching children conflict resolution. When looking for books that address conflicts, consider those with relatable characters, situations that reflect everyday conflicts that children confront, and, importantly, a constructive and peaceful resolution.
How to Use Books to Teach Conflict Resolution
Once you have handpicked books that depict scenarios of conflict and resolution, it's time to weave the magic of learning. Begin by reading the story together. Ask open-ended questions about the character's emotions or actions, such as 'How do you think the character is feeling?', or 'What would you do if you were in the character’s shoes?' This will stimulate your child's thinking and empathy.
Talk about the conflict in the story. Discuss the different ways it could have been resolved and how the chosen resolution made all the difference. Encourage your child to think about how they could apply the resolution method in real-life conflicts.
Reinforce Through Real-world Application
Implementing the learnt conflict resolution tactics in real life helps children understand the concepts better and strengthens the learning. If your child experiences conflict, remind them of similar situations in the stories they've read. Help them remember the actions of the characters and how they peacefully resolved conflicts.
In Conclusion
Children's books are an effective tool to hone in important life skills like conflict resolution in young learners. The impact they create in representing conflicts and the potential solutions not only captivate a child's mind but also embed them with lifelong skills. So, read together, learn, and let your child embrace the wisdom beyond the words.