How to Resolve Conflicts in 5 Minutes or Less

A conflict resolution guide for kids! Just what you have been looking for! Help kids become more independent and resolve their own conflicts. Check it out!

My first year as a school counselor, I realized how many “conflicts” there actually are in elementary. To be quite honest, I was shocked! Kids think the simplest things are a big problem and I realized they just needed more practice expressing themselves so they could resolve conflicts on their own.

I spent over 3/4th of my time dealing with these so-called “problems”. I know to the kids, they really are a problem and some students get stuck! They can’t move past it until they resolve it or there is some sort of closure.

I started to notice the majority of the conflicts were related to the playground. These conflicts were eating up all of my time…I needed to find a solution and fast! I did like most of us and searched the internet high and low. I couldn’t find anything that specifically worked for my school. So… the creative juices started flowing and out came our conflict resolution!

I looked online for a solution and found several ideas from Pinterest on Conflict Resolution. However, I needed to adapt something for my school and my students.

With the help of my amazing dad, we came up with The Peaceful Path, which is just what my school needed!

How Does The Peaceful Path Help Students?

• Lets the students solve problems on their own and be independent.
• Lets the students come up with their own solutions.
• Increases Instructional Time for Learning
• Students can feel more self-confident and mature handling problems on their own.

How Do I Start Making The Peaceful Path?

I started by getting stencil templates cut from our artwork. You can get that done by submitting my artwork to a printer company that prints stencils. There are several out there… just take a peek online!

Then I bought three different colors of spray paint for outside use. I used turquoise, red and white… just for fun!

Make sure you paint after school or on the weekend when kids will NOT be around the area. Kids and wet paint usually don’t mix well!

We gathered several cardboard boxes so I could put them on the perimeter of the stencils. That way, when I spray on the spray paint, it’s okay if it gets off the stencil a bit, the cardboard will catch it. (Moving this contraption during painting is a chore… but it will be worth it!)

Now, with all your supplies, it is time to go outside! Find a spot that is pretty big and close to where kids play (they need to be able to go here during recess).

We used chalk lines to show us where to layout our stencils. So, using the template, mark your chalk lines and start laying down your first stencil. We started with the feet first. It was easier for us to get that sprayed down to envision the rest.

Once you have sprayed all the stencils on… you just let it dry!

           

How Do I Start Using The Peaceful Path?

Start by introducing it to all the students. For me, it was the easiest to use in my very first classroom lesson. Begin with a short lesson on friendship and recess manners. Then you can go into resolving conflicts with I-statements. I also showed this amazing video by my wonderful administrators! (The kids loved seeing this!)

Once you have a good 15-20 min. foundation. Line the kids up and take a field trip outside to The Peaceful Path.

Keep them in a line, explain the rules and why they would come here. Then have them get into partners (or you can pick). They will need to be standing in a line, two-by-two.

The first pair stand on the feet of the path and start. You will probably have to guide them and help come up with scenarios… because I got a lot of “we don’t have any conflicts!”

To help for time and practice, once the first pair move off the first feet… the second pair of kids can get on.

Let all the kids have a turn and return back to their line up position.

Where Do I Get The Peaceful Path?

I’m so glad you asked! I almost forgot the best part!

You can find The Peaceful Path in my TPT store.

Remember, I can’t give you stencils that are big enough through the internet! This is the artwork and directions for printing, designed by a professional graphic designer. You will need to give this to a printing company either in your local city or find a company online. 

I hope this helps you with conflict resolution at your school! Please let me know how you handle conflicts! I am always looking for more ideas!