Notes to accompany the High Scope,
Conflict Resolution Video.
A problem solving approach to managing challenging behaviour.
“If we are going to have real peace and win the war against violence,
we must start with children. By settling disputes with their peers,
children gain an understanding of how to respect the needs of others
while meeting their own needs. They learn that there is often more
than one right side to a dispute, that feelings are important and that
there are many possible ‘win-win’ solutions to conflict.”
Betsy Evans. Helping Children Resolve Dispute and Conflicts.
Solving Problems and Resolving Conflicts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Approach calmly.
Acknowledge feelings.
Gather information.
Restate the problem.
Ask for solutions and choose one together.
Be prepared to give follow up support.
1996 Highscope Educational Foundation
THE OWL
Acknowledges the problem or conflict and engages with children in
problem solving
THE TURTLE
Avoids or ignores the problem
THE SHARK
Jumps right in and solves children’s problems for them.
Contrasting Climates for Children
Laissez-faire
climate
Children are in
control most of the
time, with adults as
bystanders who
provide supervision
Adults intervene to
respond to requests,
offer information and
restore order
Supportive climate
Children and adults
share control
Adults observe
children’s strengths,
form authentic
partnerships with
children and support
children’s intentional
play
Curriculum content
Curriculum content
comes from children’s comes from children’s
play
initiatives and key
experiences for child
development
Adults highly value
Adults highly value
play
children’s active
learning
Adults use various
Adults use a problem
approaches to
solving approach to
behaviour
social conflict
management
Directive climate
Adults are in control
Adults give direction
and information
Curriculum content
comes form learning
objectives set by
adults
Adults highly value
drill and practice for
children
Adults use correction
and separation as
predominant
behaviour
management
strategies.
Adapted from 1996 Highscope Educational Foundation
Conflicts escalate when you: Conflicts de-escalate when
you:
 use ‘you’ statements;
 use ‘I’ statements;
 use intense body
language;
 make accusations or
blame children;
 focus on the past;
 focus on the person;
 focus on your position;
 make assumptions.
 use gentle body language;
 are specific;
 focus on present and
future;
 focus on problem;
 focus on children’s needs;
 listen carefully to both
sides.