Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) · Senior Infants · Myself and Others: Relationships and Communication · 3.º Período

Resolving Conflict

Developing simple strategies for dealing with disagreements. Learning to say sorry and forgive others.

TL;DR:Resolving Conflict is a vital skill within the 'Relating to others' strand of the NCCA SPHE curriculum. Senior Infants are at a stage where disagreements over toys, turns, or rules are common. This topic teaches them simple, constructive ways to handle these moments, such as using 'I' statements, listening to the other person, and understanding the importance of an apology.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• SPHE Strand: Myself and others - Relating to others
• SPHE Strand: Myself and others - My friends and other people

About This Topic

Resolving Conflict is a vital skill within the 'Relating to others' strand of the NCCA SPHE curriculum. Senior Infants are at a stage where disagreements over toys, turns, or rules are common. This topic teaches them simple, constructive ways to handle these moments, such as using 'I' statements, listening to the other person, and understanding the importance of an apology.

In the Irish context, this supports the development of a restorative practice approach in schools. By learning to fix problems early, children develop emotional resilience and better social cohesion. This topic comes alive when students can act out common conflicts and work together to find 'win-win' solutions through collaborative problem-solving.

Key Questions

1. What happens when we disagree with a friend?
2. How can we fix a problem?
3. Why is it important to say sorry?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Saying 'sorry' makes the problem disappear instantly.

What to Teach Instead

Children often use 'sorry' as a magic word to avoid trouble. Active discussion helps them see that a real apology also involves trying to fix the mistake or not doing it again.

Common Misconception

The person who is loudest is the one who is right.

What to Teach Instead

In the heat of a conflict, children often shout. Using a 'talking piece' in simulations helps them understand that everyone's voice is equal and listening is just as important as speaking.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play

The 'I' Message Practice

Students are given a scenario (e.g., someone took their crayon). They practice saying, 'I feel sad when you take my crayon, please ask next time,' instead of shouting or grabbing back.

20 min·Pairs

Collaborative Problem-Solving

The Broken Toy

In small groups, students are shown a 'broken' toy (or a picture of one). They must brainstorm three different ways to fix the situation if two friends were fighting over it.

20 min·Small Groups

Simulation Game

The Peace Table

Set up a small table with a 'talking piece.' Students practice sitting down and taking turns to speak while the other listens, simulating how they would solve a real disagreement.

15 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I introduce restorative practice to Senior Infants?

Start with simple 'restorative questions' like: What happened? Who was hurt? How can we make it better? Use these consistently during active problem-solving sessions.

What are the NCCA standards for conflict resolution in infants?

The curriculum emphasizes identifying common causes of conflict, practicing ways to resolve them peacefully, and understanding the importance of forgiveness and making up.

How can active learning help students understand conflict resolution?

Conflict resolution is a high-emotion skill. Active learning provides a 'cool-down' environment where students can practice the steps of negotiation and apology without the immediate stress of a real fight. This builds the 'muscle memory' they need to stay calm when real conflicts arise.

What if a child refuses to apologize during a role play?

Focus on the 'making it better' part. Sometimes a child isn't ready to say the word, but they can suggest a way to fix the situation. This still builds the necessary problem-solving skills.