Are you looking for strategies to help students peacefully solve conflicts? If so, keep reading.
1. Praise the learner for demonstrating the capacity and ability to properly solve problems in conflict situations: (a) give the learner a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the learner an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
2. Converse with the learner to explain (a) what they are doing wrong (e.g., fighting, name-calling, etc.) and (b) what they must be doing (e.g., withdrawing from conflict situations, reasoning, etc.).
3. Teach the learner in an assortment of ways to solve problems in conflict situations (e.g., withdrawing, reasoning, calling upon an arbitrator, apologizing, compromising, allowing others the benefit of the doubt, etc.).
4. Praise the learner for demonstrating the capacity and ability to properly solve problems in conflict situations based on the number of times the learner can be successful. As the learner shows success, slowly increase the number of times required for reinforcement.
5. Draft an agreement with the learner stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., withdrawing from conflict situations, reasoning, etc.) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.
6. Connect with parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the learner’s progress. The parents may reinforce the learner at home for demonstrating the capacity and ability to solve problems in conflict situations at school properly.
7. Select a peer to model properly solving problems in conflict situations for the learner.
8. Get the learner to question any directions, explanations, instructions they do not understand.
9. Assess the learner’s problem-solving capacity and ability and limit their exposure to conflict situations at a level with which they can participate appropriately.
10. Praise those students in the classroom who demonstrate the capacity and ability to solve problems in conflict situations properly.
11. Embody for the learner an assortment of ways to solve problems in conflict situations (e.g., withdrawing, reasoning, apologizing, compromising, etc.).
12. Give the learner hypothetical conflict situations and require them to suggest appropriate solutions to the situations.
13. Get the learner to role-play ways to solve problems in conflict situations with peers and adults (e.g., withdrawing, reasoning, calling upon an arbitrator, apologizing, compromising, allowing others the benefit of the doubt, etc.).
14. Make sure the learner knows that logical consequences may happen if they react improperly in conflict situations (e.g., peers will not want to interact, teachers will have to intervene, etc.)
15. Teach the learner to solve problems in conflict situations before the situation becomes too complicated for them to solve.
16. Teach the learner to avoid becoming involved in conflict situations (e.g., move away from the situation, change their behavior, etc.).
17. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
18. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
19. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.
20. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.
