Conflict Resolution Skills are crucial for creating a conducive learning environment and maintaining healthy relationships within the classroom or any group setting. By teaching these skills, educators can equip students with the tools necessary to address and resolve disagreements constructively. Here we explore a variety of resources to help teach conflict resolution skills effectively.
Books and Textbooks
– “The Conflict Resolution Toolbox” by Gary T. Furlong – This book provides eight different models for understanding and resolving conflict, which can be particularly useful for educators looking to frame their lessons with solid theoretical underpinnings.
– “Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most” by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen – Offers insights into navigating difficult discussions, a key component of resolving conflicts.
Websites
– Edutopia.org – Offers a wealth of articles, videos, and teaching resources focused on building social-emotional learning skills, including conflict resolution.
– Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) – Provides online training materials and articles specifically aimed at deescalation techniques and crisis prevention.
Online Courses
– Coursera’s “Conflict Transformation” by Emory University – An in-depth course that not only discusses resolving conflicts but also transforming them into positive outcomes.
– Udemy’s “Conflict Management with Emotional Intelligence” – Teaches practical steps to use emotional intelligence as a tool in managing conflicts more effectively.
Games and Activities
– Conflict Resolution Role-Play scenarios – In these real-world scenario-based activities, students can practice confronting and managing conflicts in a controlled environment.
– Peace Path Mats or Boards – A game that guides students through the process of resolving disputes by proceeding along a path where they are prompted to express feelings, listen, and find workable solutions.
Workbooks and Handouts
– SEDL’s “Conflict Resolution Education: A Guide to Implementing Programs in Schools, Youth-Serving Organizations, and Community and Juvenile Justice Settings” – A manual to develop conflict resolution programs with exercises.
– The Hands Project’s “Creative Conflict Solving for Kids” workbook – Contains a series of lessons that impart critical listening and speaking skills essential in conflict resolution.
Videos
– TED Talks on Conflict Resolution – These discussions from experts in the field cover various aspects of understanding and resolving conflicts.
– YouTube channels such as The Psych Show or Charisma on Command – Offer easy-to-digest tips on communication strategies that can help defuse tension.
Immersing students in role-play situations, offering them literature rich with conflict resolution models, providing video resources with relatable content—these resources represent just a fraction of what is available for educators looking to instill effective problem-solving strategies in their students. It is through continued education and practice that individuals can develop the ability to navigate conflicts successfully.
