4 minutes
Classroom conflicts are more common than they seem. Besides being learning spaces, educational institutions are places where hundreds of people of different ages and customs interact daily, making them settings where conflicts that need resolving commonly arise.
Learning to live together is part of what we understand as educational quality. Learning to resolve classroom conflicts allows us to discover and practice strategies for achieving respect, solidarity, tolerance, and empathy, living together harmoniously, and acquiring skills that protect against violence.
Different kinds of conflicts can arise in the classroom, creating an atmosphere that disrupts lessons. However, if addressed and resolved appropriately, they can help improve relationships among those involved and within their group.
We want to share these tips you can put into practice to resolve classroom conflicts and create new opportunities to bring your students together.
5 Tips for Resolving Classroom Conflicts
1. Prevention comes first
A good classroom atmosphere and appropriate discipline can help you prevent conflicts from starting. It is important to help students individually, practicing positive reinforcement.
Encourage values-based education and try to focus on developing students' emotional skills and social competencies through group activities. Establishing basic classroom rules for living together is also important.
2. Encourage communication.
Communication influences relationships among the people sharing a classroom. Strive to improve your students' communication skills as well as your own, since these largely determine whether a peaceful atmosphere exists in the classroom.
Also, once conflict has developed, communication can be the key to resolving it through dialogue and listening to those involved.
3. Analyze the conflict.
Different types of conflict, at different levels of intensity, can arise in the classroom. It is important to identify the origin of the conflict, the specific problem, and who is involved.
Analyze each participant's interests and needs, and help everyone reflect on the situation and try to understand others' positions. You must explore the causes rather than solve the conflict superficially or temporarily, or simply take one side. Instead, find the keys to resolving it in the long term.
4. Act in a coordinated way.
When a student, group, or class generates conflicts, it is important to design a shared strategy with the other teachers, so conflicts are resolved across subjects and in a coordinated manner. This way, all teachers share the same criteria and move in the same direction, strengthening conflict resolution.
Sometimes it is also important to involve parents in this strategy, as an essential part of students' education.
5. Follow up.
Acts of violence and other conflicts require follow-up. Once you have resolved a situation, do not neglect it. Watch how it evolves and, at any sign that the conflict may recur, act to stop it and reinforce the solution you previously provided.
Be careful not to make these mistakes
Do not defend the person attacked by showing pity, much less encourage them to attack by saying "Defend yourself!" and inviting retaliation. Instead, teach them to set boundaries, defend themselves by firmly saying "no," and ask for help if they are not heard.
Do not reprimand the aggressor by shouting, belittling, blaming, punishing, or labeling them aggressive or antisocial, conveying the idea that this is who they are and they cannot change. Doing so has very negative effects because it perpetuates their offensive behavior. Ideally, teach them self-control and to speak about what they want instead of attacking.
If you have another way to resolve classroom conflicts, share it with us.