| Problem solving and conflict resolution for children | | | | emotions have calmed sufficiently down. |
| should begin being taught early on. If you're a | | | | Discussing previous conflicts and how they could |
| parent of multiple children in your family this | | | | have reacted and handled them is a key in their |
| becomes apparent as it won't take siblings long at | | | | emotional growth. |
| all to become engaged in some type of 'sharing' | | | | As all children do early on, before they have the |
| violation with one another. Children of a family | | | | ability to concisely express themselves, they learn |
| with other children almost immediately are | | | | that many times crying and even screaming |
| engaged in a social type of activity albeit only with | | | | resolves their conflict because as parents we try |
| their brothers and sisters early on. Conflicts and | | | | to assuage the behavior by getting them what |
| resolving those conflicts soon become part of | | | | they want or need. The time needed for this |
| their day. | | | | emotional growth and self education just isn't |
| At an early age children are in more of a self | | | | available in the public schools. But as a |
| exploration and self discovery mode. From there | | | | homeschooling parent this should be a practiced |
| and from a socialization progression you will see | | | | activity. |
| kids playing together but not as a coordinated | | | | Understanding and teaching conflict resolution to |
| group. In other words, the next progression is to | | | | your children is an integral part of their social |
| see a group of children 'geographically' playing | | | | development and growth. Without these tools, |
| together but they all still have their own toys and | | | | children will grow into adults resolving problems |
| objects. The next step of the socialization of play | | | | the only way the have ever known how to do - |
| is around 2 to 3 years old where you'll see kids | | | | with emotional behavior, and sadly, many times |
| begin activities that begin to require interaction | | | | with force. |
| and subsequently problem solving and conflict | | | | There is a tremendous amount of excellent |
| resolution. | | | | information on these techniques and teaching |
| As a homeschooling parents you have the | | | | them to children of all ages. Make them part of |
| opportunity to actually teach conflict resolution | | | | your day, and a part of your child's life and they |
| and problem solving techniques and skills rather | | | | will grow in depth and confidence. |
| than just solving them. As a part of conflict | | | | Mary Joyce is a former educator, successful |
| resolution it's important to get children to express | | | | homeschool parent, and has written many articles |
| themselves and their feelings and get past their | | | | onhomeschool information for the |
| initial emotional reaction. This will initially take some | | | | Homeschool-Curriculum-4u website. Please visit ( |
| time and practice, and you should take the time | | | | for more of Mary's articles, resources on |
| to get back to, and discuss the conflict that | | | | homeschool, ideas, and curriculum information. |
| occurred at a later time or date after the | | | | |