Table of contents
Table of contents
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Introduction
Introduction
How young children interact with their peers can have important implications for the way they will behave in later years. While most young children live peaceably and happily with others, some act aggressively or become targets of the bullying behaviour of their peers. These children are often unhappy and they are likely to continue feeling that way unless effective means of prevention or intervention is applied. If we do not help them behave with respect and kindness when they are young, it becomes much harder to rectify their behaviour when they are older. The task of countering bullying, and unkind and hurtful behaviour at school is of the utmost importance for us all.
Managing conflict at the School begins with the School and Junior Primary psychomotor programme. The two simple principles, “I do not hurt myself” and “I do not hurt others verbally or physically”, are taught through these lessons. Children are reminded and encouraged to state the rules and adhere to them in conflict situations.
By identifying their feelings of rejection and hurt, as well as labelling and verbalising them, children are encouraged to manage conflict independently and assertively.
The first step, for a child, is to express their dislike about an experience and how they feel towards the offending party independently. If the offending child does not listen, children are encouraged to express their feelings again, this time with an adult present, but in their own words. Only if the matter between the children is unresolved, will an adult intervene. The adult will manage the situation by encouraging the children to engage in dialogue, and by emphasising the learnt psychomotor principles.
Children feel confident and secure when rules and boundaries are in place. By understanding and verbalising their feelings, children can transform a primitive reaction into a conscious response. If they can identify their own feelings, they can identify and better understand the feelings and emotions of others.
Our goal is to teach children empathy, tolerance, self-respect and respect for others. The School encourages and supports non-violent communication.
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