Use reframing to defuse anger and keep dialogue open and positive. To reframe, take a negative statement and remove the emotionally-charged, damaging, and accusatory words, thus changing the statement to be solution-focused. This also applies to self-talk, in which youth can be taught to replace critical comments with supportive ones. For example, instead of saying …
The bystander is one of the most critical, if not the most critical person in a conflict. Teaching youth how to successfully and confidently intervene when appropriate is very important. If intervening is not a good idea, they need to know how to get help. Role playing, watching videos, and brainstorming together what might work …
Create an end of the semester or end of the year skit or play on a particular historical event. Each child/student has a role. Play it out so they feel the differences in perspective, interests and needs. Identify who needed the most help. Ask, “what could have been done differently?”
Multiple peace education and character education books exist (go to www.ceedsofpeace.org for many book titles). Use throughout all lessons and have readily available in the classroom/home/library. Look to our resource lists in order to build your own peace education resource library or find culturally relevant literature on topics such as compassion (“Wonder”), courage (“Say Something”), …
A strategy for youth to problem-solve themselves. Between two children, they pass a flower back and forth. The first child begins by saying, “I felt ________when this happened.” The child then passes the flower and the other child repeats back what they heard. “It sounds like you felt ________when I did _________.” Then an apology …
Approximately once a month (or more often), have students write down four names – 3 classmates that they want to get to know better, work on a team project or assignment with, or just sit next to; and one classmate who has been a good friend during that prior time period. The teacher’s job is …
With gloves and buckets, walk the neighborhood and pick up rubbish off of sidewalks, in public parks, or on the beach. Combine with lessons about where rubbish comes from and where it goes, and how we can minimize our production of waste.
Focusing on wants and needs, have youth each draw their own classroom, school and/or family. How would they meet their needs? They will most likely draw hospitals, gardens, homes for shelter, friends etc. Select one drawing to duplicate on the board then discuss as a class how you would acquire those needs. See what they …
At mealtimes, during commutes, or whenever there is time to talk with a teen, let them know how you are feeling and why. For example, you might say, “I’m getting a bit anxious about the holidays coming up. I am happy to spend time with family but also nervous about taking time away from my …
Repeating the meaning of a person’s words in a warm and caring tone assures the speaker that you seek to understand instead of judging or giving advice. The listener can help the speaker to better understand him/herself and his/her emotions. Some mirroring phrases are “What I hear you saying is….”, “I can see (or hear) …