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