Using Simplest Terms & Age Appropriate Examples
How can we prepare our child emotionally and help our children to deal with conflicts on the playground
An emotional armour for our children is an extremely important teaching in my books! Responding from a parental view first, I feel that to have these tools in place prior to entering school can reduce anxiety, build confidence and help the child to put his/her best foot forward in developing good relationships.
Recognizing the uniqueness of each child’s personality and communication style is important, thus a child who is introverted or passive, needs and instruction to grow, will be different from a child’s who is extraverted or aggressive.
Using the simplest terms and age appropriate examples
I found helped build this emotional armour for my children. Tied in with a family philosophy about being a “Healthy Friend” and choosing healthy friendships as well as talking about what that looked like.
Role play on appropriate and inappropriate ways to communicate, as well as other examples of situations that may arise when at play were very helpful for us.
Examples of the wrong way, were equally as helpful to discuss, prior to the child being put in that situation. We encourage using “I terms” etc. to communicate at the school level, and in primary grades.
We want to help the children develop this skill. When conflict arises we ask “Did you use your words to tell Johnny how you felt etc., also it goes without saying that asking a teacher or parent for support is always an option, and safety is a number one priority for all!
For love of a child,
Cindy