Social Studies · Primary 1

Active learning ideas

Conflict Resolution and Mediation

Active learning helps young students grasp conflict resolution by letting them practice real-life scenarios rather than just listening to explanations. Hands-on activities make abstract concepts like empathy and communication concrete through peer interaction and role-playing.

• MOE Syllabus Outcomes
• MOE: Peace and Conflict Studies - MS

• 20–35 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 20 min · Pairs

Pairs Role-Play: Toy Sharing Dispute

Pair students and assign roles: one wants the toy first, the other feels upset. Guide them to use calm words, listen, and compromise. Switch roles and discuss what worked. Debrief as a class on feelings before and after.

Have you ever had a disagreement with a friend? What happened?

Facilitation Tip

During Pairs Role-Play, provide clear scripts for both roles to guide students who may feel unsure about what to say.

What to look for

Present students with a scenario: 'Two friends want to play with the same toy.' Ask them to draw or write one calm way to solve this problem. Review drawings for understanding of peaceful strategies.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Role Play
• 30 min · Whole Class

Circle Time: Mediation Practice

Form a whole-class circle. Present a scenario like a playground argument. Students take turns suggesting steps: stop, talk, solve. Model first, then let volunteers mediate a peer pair.

What are some calm ways to sort out a disagreement?

Facilitation Tip

Before Circle Time Mediation Practice, model active listening by asking a volunteer to share a problem while you demonstrate nodding and asking follow-up questions.

What to look for

Ask students: 'Imagine your friend is upset because you accidentally broke their crayon. What could you say to them using an 'I feel' statement?' Facilitate a brief class discussion on their responses.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Role Play
• 25 min · Small Groups

Small Group: Conflict Comic Strips

In groups, students draw a 4-panel comic of a disagreement and resolution using learned strategies. Share with class, explaining choices. Provide templates with prompts like 'I feel...'

How do you feel after you and a friend solve a problem together?

Facilitation Tip

For Conflict Comic Strips, give each group a blank template with speech bubbles to scaffold the storytelling process.

What to look for

Give each student a slip of paper. Ask them to write or draw one thing they learned about solving disagreements today and one way they can be a good friend by helping to solve problems.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 04

• Role Play
• 35 min · Small Groups

Peace Table Stations

Set up stations with props for scenarios. Groups rotate, practicing mediation steps on a chart: breathe, listen, agree. Record solutions on sticky notes for class wall.

Have you ever had a disagreement with a friend? What happened?

Facilitation Tip

Set up Peace Table Stations with visual cues like a 'Listening' sign and an 'I Feel' statement card to remind students of key strategies.

What to look for

Present students with a scenario: 'Two friends want to play with the same toy.' Ask them to draw or write one calm way to solve this problem. Review drawings for understanding of peaceful strategies.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers know that young children learn conflict resolution best through repeated, guided practice rather than lectures. Avoid jumping to solutions too quickly; instead, ask open-ended questions that encourage students to reflect on their feelings and actions. Research shows that peer modeling during role-plays builds confidence and normalizes positive behaviors like apologizing and compromising.

Success looks like students using calm words instead of physical actions during disagreements, actively listening to peers, and demonstrating an understanding of fair solutions. They should show confidence in applying strategies like 'I feel' statements and turn-taking during activities.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Pairs Role-Play, watch for students who default to yelling or pushing because they believe it gets results faster. Redirect by pausing the role-play and asking, 'What happened when you raised your voice? How did your partner react?' to guide them toward calm communication.

• During Peer Mediation Activities, listen for comments like 'Only teachers can fix fights.' Stop the activity and ask the class, 'Who can you ask for help during the role-play? What would they say to solve the problem?' to highlight peer solutions.

• During Circle Time Mediation Practice, note students who say ignoring a problem makes it disappear. Ask, 'What happened during the role-play when someone didn’t speak up? How did the other person feel the next day?' to show the lingering effects of unresolved conflicts.

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Methods used in this brief

• Role Play