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How To Resolve Conflict Between Students: Empowering Students To Find Solutions

How To Resolve Conflict Between Students: Empowering Students To Find Solutions

Conflict is a natural part of student interactions, and when handled correctly, it becomes a powerful learning opportunity. Understanding how to resolve conflict between students effectively, equips kids with essential life skills such as problem-solving, empathy, and effective communication. Rather than simply stepping in to resolve disputes, educators can guide students toward independent conflict resolution in the classroom, helping them develop confidence in their ability to manage disagreements constructively.

This article explores the causes of conflict among students, offers examples of conflict between students, and provides actionable strategies for resolving conflicts in the classroom. We’ll also introduce tools like the Peace Path and Peacemaker School Training that empower students to take ownership of their conflicts with guidance and support.

Understanding Classroom Conflict: Common Causes and Examples

Before educators can effectively teach classroom conflict resolution, it’s important to understand why conflicts occur. Conflicts in the classroom often stem from misunderstandings, differences in perspectives, or emotional reactions.

Common Causes of Conflict Among Students

  • Miscommunication: A simple misunderstanding can escalate into a conflict if not addressed.
  • Competing Interests: Whether it’s a disagreement over shared resources, group work, or recess games, students often struggle to balance their individual needs with those of others.
  • Personality Clashes: Students with different temperaments or problem-solving styles may find it challenging to work together.
  • Unmet Emotional Needs: Feelings of frustration, stress, or exclusion can lead to defensive behavior and conflict.
  • Cultural and Social Differences: Students from diverse backgrounds may have different ways of expressing emotions and resolving disagreements.

Examples of Conflict Between Students

  • A Disagreement Over Group Work: Two students working on a project may argue about who should take the lead. One student feels unheard, while the other is frustrated by a lack of participation.
  • A Playground Dispute: A game of tag leads to an argument about fairness, with one student feeling they were unfairly tagged out.
  • A Personal Insult or Teasing: One student makes a joke at another’s expense, not realizing it is hurtful, leading to a tense exchange.
  • Exclusion from Activities: A student feels left out of a social group, leading to resentment and avoidance of group activities.

By recognizing these common scenarios, educators can better equip students with classroom conflict management techniques that turn these moments into learning opportunities.

Steps for Resolving Conflicts in the Classroom

classroom conflict resolution - how to resolve conflict in the classroom

Teaching students how to resolve conflict in the classroom requires a structured approach that emphasizes respect, active listening, and collaboration. Here’s a step-by-step guide for student conflict resolution that educators can implement:

1. Create a Safe Space for Conflict Resolution

Students need to feel emotionally safe before engaging in classroom conflict resolution. Establish a classroom culture that encourages open discussions and respectful disagreement.

  • Set clear expectations for behavior during conflict discussions.
  • Encourage students to view conflicts as opportunities for learning rather than as negative experiences.
  • Designate a specific area in the classroom, like a “Peace Corner.”

2. Teach to Identify the Problem

Many conflicts escalate because students struggle to express what is bothering them. Guide them in defining the root issue by asking:

  • What happened?
  • How did it make you feel?
  • What do you need to feel better?

3. Encourage Active Listening

Students should practice listening without interrupting, ensuring they truly understand each other’s perspectives before responding. This is key to conflict resolution in the classroom.

  • Have students repeat what they heard to confirm their understanding.
  • Encourage empathetic listening by asking, “How would you feel if this happened to you?”
  • Model this behavior by actively listening when students bring up conflicts.

4. Guide Students to Find a Solution Together

Rather than dictating a resolution, empower students to find their own solutions. Ask them:

  • What can we do to make things better?
  • How can we make sure this doesn’t happen again?
  • What is a fair outcome for both of you?

Encouraging students to take responsibility for their actions fosters independence and enhances classroom conflict management skills.

Additionally, conflict resolution tools can help students work through the problem. Tools like the Peace Path provide a structured way for students to articulate their thoughts and emotions while working through student conflict resolution independently.

5. Follow Up and Reinforce Positive Conflict Resolution

After a resolution has been reached, check in with students to ensure they are following through with their agreements. Reinforce positive behaviors by acknowledging when students successfully navigate a conflict.

  • Praise students for their efforts in resolving conflicts respectfully.
  • Use group reflections to discuss what worked well and what could be improved.
  • Introduce ongoing social-emotional learning activities to help students continuously develop their conflict-resolution skills.

Tools to Support Student-Led Conflict Resolution

Helping students become independent problem solvers requires the right tools. Soul Shoppe offers two exceptional resources that support classroom conflict resolution:

The Peace Path: A Step-by-Step Conflict Resolution Tool

The Peace Path is an interactive guide that walks students through the conflict resolution process. By using structured prompts, students learn to express their emotions, listen actively, and collaborate on solutions.

How It Works:

  1. Students stand on designated spots and take turns speaking.
  2. They use prompts to describe their feelings and needs.
  3. Together, they identify a fair solution and move forward.

Teachers can integrate the Peace Path into daily routines, ensuring that students have a clear and familiar process for resolving conflicts independently.

Peacemaker School Training: Creating a Conflict-Resilient Classroom

For educators who want to implement a long-term conflict resolution strategy, the Peacemaker School Training offers a comprehensive program to teach conflict resolution skills school-wide.

This training equips educators with advanced techniques in resolving conflicts in the classroom and provides structured activities that help students take an active role in fostering a peaceful learning environment.

Key Benefits:

  • Empowers students to take responsibility for their actions.
  • Creates a school culture rooted in problem-solving and mutual respect.
  • Helps students develop emotional intelligence and resilience.

The Lasting Impact of Student-Led Conflict Resolution

Teaching students how to resolve conflict in the classroom is an investment in their future. When students develop strong conflict resolution skills, they gain:

  • Stronger Relationships: Respectful communication fosters deeper friendships and teamwork.
  • Increased Confidence: Learning to resolve conflicts independently boosts self-esteem.
  • Lifelong Problem-Solving Skills: These skills benefit students beyond the classroom, preparing them for success in personal and professional relationships.

By integrating the Peace Path, encouraging student-led solutions, and incorporating structured SEL practices, educators can create classrooms where conflicts become opportunities for learning and growth.

Empower Your Students to Navigate Conflict Successfully

Supporting students in resolving conflicts in the classroom doesn’t mean solving problems for them—it means guiding them to develop the skills to solve them on their own. Soul Shoppe’s Peace Path and Peacemaker School Training provide educators with the tools to transform classroom conflicts into positive learning experiences.

By prioritizing student conflict resolution, we create classrooms filled with empathy, respect, and empowered young problem-solvers.

Explore Soul Shoppe’s conflict management classroom tools today and take the first step toward a more peaceful and collaborative learning environment.

The Power of a Positive Teacher-Student Relationship

The Power of a Positive Teacher-Student Relationship

A positive teacher-student relationship is the cornerstone of a supportive and effective learning environment. When teachers and students connect meaningfully, it fosters trust, mutual respect, and open communication. These relationships create a foundation where students feel safe, valued, and empowered to succeed both academically and emotionally.

This article will explore the importance of teacher-student relationships, the key elements of a strong teacher-and-student relationship, and actionable strategies to build inclusive and safe spaces that nurture these bonds.

Why Positive Teacher-Student Relationships Matter

The importance of teacher-student relationships goes beyond classroom performance. Research shows that students who have strong connections with their teachers are more likely to engage in their learning, show improved behavior, and experience better emotional well-being. A meaningful student and teacher relationship contributes to:

  • Increased Academic Engagement: Students are more motivated to participate in their education when they feel supported and understood by their teachers.
  • Improved Emotional Well-Being: Strong relationships provide students with a sense of security and belonging, reducing anxiety and stress.
  • Better Social Skills: Teachers can model and reinforce respectful communication, collaboration, and empathy, shaping how students interact with their peers.

Creating Safe and Inclusive Spaces

Building a positive teacher-student relationship begins with creating safe, inclusive environments where all students feel welcomed and respected. Teachers can do this by fostering diversity, promoting anti-bullying initiatives, and integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into their classrooms.

1. Addressing Bullying and Promoting Kindness

Anti-bullying programs, such as Soul Shoppe’s Free to Be Online Course, empower students and teachers to recognize and respond to bullying behaviors. By actively addressing bullying, teachers demonstrate their commitment to creating a safe and compassionate environment.

2. Embracing Diversity and Respecting Differences

A classroom that celebrates diversity strengthens the teacher-student relationship by ensuring every student feels seen and valued. Soul Shoppe’s Respect Differences Program equips educators with tools to teach empathy, acceptance, and respect for cultural differences.

3. Integrating Social Emotional Learning

SEL programs, like Soul Shoppe’s Tools of the Heart Online Course, provide teachers with strategies to enhance emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication skills in students. These skills are essential for cultivating healthy teacher-student relationships and supporting students’ overall growth.

Key Elements of a Positive Teacher-Student Relationship

teacher with students - positive teacher student relationshipsTo build a positive teacher-student relationship, educators can focus on the following key elements:

  • Mutual Respect: Show students their voices matter by listening actively and validating their experiences. This reinforces the importance of teacher-student relationships built on trust and mutual understanding.
  • Consistent Communication: Open lines of communication help students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, concerns, and ideas.
  • Empathy and Understanding: Take the time to understand students’ backgrounds, strengths, and challenges. Empathy fosters stronger connections and reduces barriers to learning.
  • Positive Reinforcement: Acknowledge students’ efforts and celebrate their achievements to build confidence and a sense of belonging.

Practical Strategies for Building Positive Teacher-Student Relationships

  • Start Each Day with Connection: Greet students warmly, ask how they’re feeling, and create an inviting atmosphere that promotes open communication.
  • Personalize Learning Experiences: Tailor lessons and interactions to meet individual students’ needs and interests. This shows students that you care about their success.
  • Use Collaborative Activities: Encourage teamwork and peer learning to foster camaraderie among students while strengthening the teacher-student relationship.
  • Encourage Student Voices: Involve students in decision-making and provide opportunities for them to express their ideas and opinions.

The Lasting Impact of Teacher-Student Relationships

When educators invest in building positive teacher-student relationships, the benefits extend far beyond the classroom. Students carry the lessons of respect, empathy, and effective communication into their future relationships and communities. Strong student and teacher relationships can transform a classroom into a place of inspiration, growth, and lifelong learning.

By prioritizing the importance of teacher-student relationships and creating inclusive spaces, teachers play a vital role in shaping well-rounded, confident, and compassionate individuals.

Build Stronger Connections with Soul Shoppe

Soul Shoppe’s innovative programs provide educators with the tools to create safe and inclusive environments that strengthen teacher and student relationships. Explore the Free to Be, Respect Differences, and Tools of the Heart curriculums to equip your classroom with resources that foster meaningful relationships and emotional well-being.

Let’s work together to create classrooms where teachers and students thrive.

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SEL Resources for Teachers: Building Inclusive and Compassionate Classrooms

SEL Resources for Teachers: Building Inclusive and Compassionate Classrooms

In today’s classrooms, fostering social-emotional learning (SEL) is essential for creating inclusive, supportive, and thriving learning environments. Teachers play a pivotal role in modeling and integrating SEL into daily lessons, helping students develop empathy, self-awareness, and strong interpersonal skills. To support educators, Soul Shoppe offers a wide range of SEL resources for teachers, including interactive curriculums and tools that make implementing social-emotional learning in the classroom accessible and impactful.

Whether you’re looking for comprehensive programs, SEL tools, or easy-to-use activities, this guide highlights the social-emotional learning resources available through Soul Shoppe to help you create meaningful change in your school.

Core SEL Curriculums for Teachers

Soul Shoppe’s signature curriculums are designed to help educators embed social-emotional learning into their classrooms with ease. Each program combines research-backed strategies with engaging lessons to help students develop critical life skills.

  • Tools of the Heart Online Course: This comprehensive program introduces students to key SEL concepts, such as empathy, self-regulation, and effective communication. With interactive activities and lessons, this course equips teachers with practical strategies to nurture a classroom culture of kindness and understanding.
  • Free to Be Online Course: Designed to address bullying and promote empathy, this course empowers students to create a safer, more compassionate school environment. Teachers gain access to ready-to-use SEL resources and activities that help students manage challenging social situations.
  • Respect Differences: This program focuses on teaching students the value of diversity and inclusion. Through activities that emphasize respect and acceptance, educators can foster meaningful conversations about appreciating differences and creating stronger connections.
  • Planet Peace: A comprehensive SEL curriculum designed to help students learn conflict resolution, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. This resource supports social-emotional learning in the classroom by encouraging students to be active contributors to a peaceful school community.

Certification for Teachers: Become a Peacemaker Trainer

For educators who want to take their SEL expertise to the next level, Soul Shoppe offers the Peacemaker Trainer Certification. This program trains teachers to become facilitators of SEL practices, empowering them to lead transformative SEL initiatives in their schools. Certification includes advanced SEL tools and strategies to create inclusive spaces where students feel supported and inspired to grow.

Shop SEL Tools for Hands-On Learning

Soul Shoppe’s shop offers a variety of practical social-emotional learning tools to enhance your teaching:

  • Peace Path with Tutorial: This interactive tool helps students resolve conflicts collaboratively, teaching them essential problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way.
  • Leadership Truth or Dare: This activity encourages students to explore leadership qualities through interactive challenges, fostering teamwork and self-confidence.
  • The Empty Balloon: A creative tool for teaching students how to manage emotions and practice mindfulness, helping them build emotional resilience.

These SEL tools are designed to be easy to implement, making them perfect for both in-class activities and small-group work.

Free SEL Resources for Teachers

teacher with students - SEL teacher resourcesSoul Shoppe understands the importance of accessible resources for teachers. That’s why we offer free materials and blog posts packed with social-emotional resources to inspire your lessons and classroom activities. Explore these resources to gain valuable insights and strategies:

  • What’s New Blog: Regularly updated articles provide tips on integrating social-emotional learning activities into your classroom, promoting inclusivity, and building positive relationships.

From practical advice to inspiring success stories, this blog is a must-read for educators looking to expand their SEL knowledge.

Why SEL Resources for Teachers Are Essential

Integrating SEL resources for teachers into your classroom helps students develop essential life skills that go far beyond academics. When students are taught social-emotional learning tools, they become better equipped to manage their emotions, build meaningful relationships, and navigate challenges confidently.

By combining programs, such as Respect Differences and Tools of the Heart, educators can provide a well-rounded SEL experience that fosters empathy, resilience, and collaboration among students. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or new to SEL, these resources make it easy to bring transformative learning to your classroom.

Real-Life Applications of SEL in the Classroom

Soul Shoppe’s SEL resources for teachers aren’t just theoretical—they are designed for practical, hands-on application in classrooms to create meaningful change. By integrating social-emotional learning tools into daily lessons, teachers can transform their classrooms into safe, supportive environments where students feel empowered to thrive.

Examples of SEL in Action:

  • Conflict Resolution with the Peace Path: Teachers can guide students in using the Peace Path to resolve disagreements collaboratively. For example, two students who disagree about a group project can use this tool to share their perspectives and find a solution together. This process not only addresses the immediate conflict but also equips students with lifelong problem-solving skills.
  • Developing Leadership Skills Through Truth or Dare: Activities like Leadership Truth or Dare allow students to explore their potential while building confidence. Teachers can use this resource during team-building exercises to foster collaboration, trust, and communication among peers.
  • Emotional Regulation with The Empty Balloon: When students feel overwhelmed, teachers can introduce The Empty Balloon to help them practice mindfulness and self-regulation. A quick mindfulness exercise using this tool can help students refocus and return to their work with a calm mindset.

Integrating SEL into Daily Routines:

  • Morning Check-Ins: Start the day with a brief check-in, asking students how they’re feeling and encouraging them to share. This fosters a supportive classroom culture and helps teachers identify students who may need extra support.
  • Collaborative Learning: Incorporate group projects that encourage students to apply social-emotional learning activities, such as listening to peers’ ideas, practicing empathy, and resolving disagreements constructively.
  • Reflective Journals: Encourage students to reflect on their emotions, experiences, and interactions through daily or weekly journaling, using prompts inspired by Soul Shoppe’s SEL tools.

By weaving these activities into daily routines, teachers can create an environment where social-emotional learning in the classroom becomes second nature, benefiting both students and educators.

Start Your SEL Journey Today

Soul Shoppe’s diverse range of social-emotional learning resources for teachers offers everything you need to create an inclusive, supportive classroom. From comprehensive curriculums and shop tools to free blog resources, every item is designed to help teachers integrate SEL activities seamlessly into their daily teaching.

Explore SEL curriculums, shop for hands-on tools, and discover free materials on our blog. With the right SEL resources, you can inspire a generation of compassionate, emotionally intelligent learners.

How to Manage Emotions in a Positive Way

How to Manage Emotions in a Positive Way

A key aspect to understand in social and emotional learning is the importance of managing emotions. Incorporating ways to manage emotions in a classroom setting can help teach children skills necessary to live rewarding lives. If children can get an education that teaches them how to deal with emotions in a healthy way, they are more likely to thrive.

Managing emotions in a positive way has far-reaching benefits. Not only will a kid with the ability to self-regulate their feelings experience better social interactions, but there are also health benefits to effective emotional management. People who know how to manage their emotions in a positive way will have better cardiovascular health. (HHP) Good emotional health quite literally gives people good hearts.

While there are many techniques that might prove effective for positive emotional management, we have a favorite. The Empty Balloon is an exercise we often implement here at Soul Shoppe.

The Empty Balloon Exercise — How it Works

The Empty Balloon Exercise is an emotional management tool. It begins by having students visualize emotional states as big balloons. As the emotion expands, the imagined balloon expands. And what happens to balloons when they overinflate?

They pop.

In an effort to avoid emotional explosions, the idea is to find ways to release pressure from your emotional ballon before they pop.

The Empty Balloon Exercise serves as a teaching metaphor to describe the psychology and physiology behind effective emotional management. Click here to learn more about the Emotional Balloon Exercise.

Improving Emotional Intelligence for Elementary Students

Emotional intelligence is a critical factor in the effective management of emotions. The practice of improving emotional intelligence is a lifelong challenge for most of us. It’s valuable to prepare children with a solid foundation in understanding how to interpret and manage emotions. This includes their own and those of other people.

In order to improve emotional intelligence, teachers and parents can incorporate certain activities into their curricula. Such as: (DCE)

  • Self-awareness activities. Activities like journaling and role-playing help children learn self-awareness. Reading is also a good tool for learning self-awareness.
  • Practicing self-regulation. Exercises like pausing to breathe before reacting and recognizing your own emotions are important. Board games and active games like Simon Says help kids learn and practice self-regulation skills.
  • Empathy is an important part of improving emotional management. It may not come naturally for children to think about how other kids feel. Activities like check-ins including the whole class, or role-playing help students practice empathy.
  • Cultivating social skills. Nothing teaches emotional intelligence better than social interaction. Providing children with opportunities to practice social skills gives them practical experience in developing emotional awareness. Team sports and playing games as teams provide good aids in teaching social skills.

A lot goes into emotional intelligence. With a strong grounding in emotional awareness, students can learn lessons to help them manage and control their emotions in healthy ways. (HBS)

Sometimes children find it challenging to differentiate between feelings and emotions. It is important to develop the skills to identify when it is an emotion and when it is a feeling. Feelings are generally immediate reactions to situations, while emotions often involve a deeper psychological reality. (iMotions)

How to Manage and Control Emotions in Healthy Ways

Improving Emotional Intelligence for Elementary Students

Emotional balloons will inflate. Being human means having emotions. Developing emotional intelligence is a lifelong skill. When kids can identify what they’re feeling, they will have better luck deflating their emotional balloons.

There are a handful of good ways to deflate your emotional balloon. Here are a few: (SoulShoppe)

  1. Hang out with friends. Social interaction helps raise emotional awareness and helps turn negative emotions into positive ones.
  2. Dance it out. Engaging the body with an activity unrelated to a negative emotion helps reduce the pressure in your emotional balloon. Plus…
  3. Listening to music is always a good emotional outlet!
  4. Stop and breathe for a second before doing the next thing.
  5. Read a book. If the problem is getting too deep into your own head, books are great ways to change how you’re thinking.
  6. Give someone a hug. As naturally social animals, humans heal from positive physical contact.
  7. Find a chuckle. Laughing stimulates endorphin production and helps with mood regulation.
  8. Do something creative. Drawing a picture, singing a song, and writing some poetry, are all ways to redirect emotional energy in a positive way.
  9. Talking to someone trustworthy will also help relieve emotional stress a lot of the time.
  10. Cry if you need to!

There are a lot of ways to relieve pressure from your emotional balloon, or even empty it completely.

Peace Corner

Where can students go during the school day when they need a moment to empty their emotional balloons? A peace corner is a safe space that can be created in the classroom or at home where children can empty their emotional balloons. Find out how to create a peace corner here.

There are many opportunities for children to learn how to manage emotions in a positive way, at home and at school. Through creating and sharing social and emotional learning techniques, Soul Shoppe helps teachers and parents at home or in the classroom. Our SEL curriculum for elementary school students help children learn positive emotional management. We have developed tools like the Empty Emotional Balloon exercise and the Peace Corner to bring SEL tools to your curriculum. To learn about online SEL programs for elementary schools, click here. For home school social emotional programs, click here.

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How to Teach a Child to Take Responsibility for Their Actions

How to Teach a Child to Take Responsibility for Their Actions

Taking responsibility for one’s actions can be a challenge for both children and adults. To our lower brains, voluntarily taking responsibility for actions feels like attracting consequences on purpose. It isn’t necessarily a natural instinct. On the other hand, higher executive functions tell us something different. Those functions help people live successful lives as contributing members of their communities. (DevelopingChild) Therefore, developing strength of character, to make taking responsibility for their actions a habit, helps children grow into strong community members. But how do we teach a child to take responsibility for their actions at home or at school? Let’s explore.

How To Teach a Child to Take Responsibility for Their Actions

Modeling

Taking responsibility for actions as well as approaching tasks responsibly requires the development of higher executive functions. Functions like working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control. (DevelopingChild)

In a classroom setting as well as in the home, the most effective teaching method for higher executive functions is modeling them. (MCC)

  • It’s important for teachers and parents to develop caring relationships with their children.
  • Adults should make an effort to be strong and healthy role models. Children see everything and they’re always learning.
  • It should be made clear by parents and teachers that caring matters.
  • Additionally, children need to be given opportunities to practice caring. This might include volunteering opportunities or other activities that teach responsibility.
  • Expose children to a wider understanding of the cares of the world, within reason, to help them to build empathy.

Modeling healthy behavior will teach children higher executive functions, such as taking responsibility for their actions. Educators and parents can reinforce the lessons through activities and games that teach responsibility.

Here are a few examples. (PetitJourney)

Activities & Games To Teach Responsibility

Role-Playing

Role-playing helps to teach children about outcomes of scenarios that haven’t occurred yet. Set up a scenario where the person in the scenario did something that affected others negatively. Prompt the child to take responsibility for their actions, and then demonstrate a positive outcome. Praise the child in the scenario. You might say something like, “Sometimes it can be hard to tell the truth. I’m so glad you were honest and told me about what happened. Let’s work together to fix the situation.”

Tidying up their Workspace

Nobody likes cleaning up the workspace at the end of the day. Right?

What if it’s turned into a game? Maybe at the end of the day, turn tidying up the classroom into a game. Perhaps race to see who can clean up their space first.

It’s possible to reframe tidying up as a positive and rewarding activity. It can easily become an effective technique for teaching responsibility to students.

Help in the Kitchen

Child sweeping up mess - how to teach a child to take responsibility for their actions

Kids can learn a lot about responsibility from cooking. Kitchens are full of tools that have to be used responsibly in order to be useful and not dangerous. Cooking requires attention to detail and effective planning. It also comes with an automatic reward for doing it right in the form of a cake, or a batch of cookies, or a meal.

Because most recipes also come with several jobs and tools, parents or educators can assign responsibilities to different children. One kid can be in charge of the recipe. Another kid might be responsible for the measuring cups or measuring spoons. There might be a child entirely in charge of setting and watching timers.

Kitchens come ready-made with tools that teach responsibility.

Reorganize the Workspace

Maybe a classroom, a playroom, or a reading area isn’t the most sensible layout and has the potential for restructuring. Children can learn a lot about taking responsibility for their own space if the following question is raised: “How would you reorganize this space?”

Students can learn higher cognitive skills from an exercise involving reorganizing their classroom or workspace. They will need to practice planning in order to think about making changes to the current layout. Reorganizing might involve negotiation and compromise if one kid has one idea and another kid has a different idea.

The end result will be rewarding to all children involved. They get to feel like they were responsible for a positive change in their environment.

Animal Care

Girl feeding goldfish

If there is a class pet or animal at home, then caring for the animal will help teach responsibility. Children will have to learn how to make adjustments in their schedules to take care of the animal. There are also lessons in remembering to keep to a schedule. Caring for an animal comes with a sense of responsibility since a child’s actions affect the well-being of another living thing. Children can also learn community interaction skills if the whole class bears responsibility for the class pet.

Corporate Garden

Similar to caring for an animal, planting a garden as a class, or at home, helps children learn how to take responsibility for their actions. This activity requires that they pay attention to the care and needs of the plants, attending to the everyday requirements of weeding and watering. Children will need to think about how the weather might affect their garden. They might have to take responsibility for creating shelter for the plants or checking the soil. Gardens teach time management skills as well as working memory.

Teaching Responsibility

It’s important to teach a child how to take responsibility for their actions. By using games and activities that teach accountability, teachers and parents can help children develop higher cognitive skills. It is also important to live the lessons being taught. Kids learn by example. If their teachers and parents demonstrate responsible behaviors, children will likely model them too.

At Soul Shoppe we teach social and emotional skills to students, educators, and parents. Click for more information on our SEL programs for elementary schools and social-emotional homeschool electives.

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Self-Control Games & Activities for Parents and Teachers

Self-Control Games & Activities for Parents and Teachers

Self-control is one of the most important life skills anyone can learn. By providing lessons that nurture self-control skills, parents and teachers can set children up for success later in life. (UsableKnowledge)

Classroom games are a great way to teach self-control as a social and emotional skill. Social and emotional learning skills that contribute to self-control help children succeed in academia and outside the classroom. In this article, we’ll explore the functions of self-control as well as self-control games and activities that apply those functions.

Self-Control Functions

First, it is necessary to understand the functions contributing to self-control. With an understanding of those functions, it’s possible to begin developing games and activities that create learning opportunities for children.

The functions contributing to the development of self-control are: (DevelopingChild)

  • Working memory. This is when a person knows how to effectively store information in their mind and use it effectively when necessary.
  • Inhibitory control. This is the ability to pause and reflect on compulsions and impulses. Inhibitory control is mastery over temptations, distractions, and behaviors that might develop into habits.
  • Cognitive flexibility. Identifying priorities, adjusting perspective, and adapting to the demands of new situations are all under the umbrella of cognitive flexibility. A capacity for this mental resilience is a necessary part of self-control.

Incorporating practices for working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility will be essential in creating self-control activities for students.

It’s a good possibility that parents and teachers already have activities and games in their resources that teach self-control. Many activities and games children find fun are already good teaching opportunities for self-control. They just need a little more context in order to become more effective self-control strategies for students.

Here are some self-control games that teachers and parents can use:

Self-Control Games

Card Games and Board Games

playing games. Decision-Making Skills in the Classroom

Card games and board games are excellent aids in teaching self-control strategies to students. Rule-based and goal-oriented card games and board games help children to practice using executive functions to achieve goals. At the same time, card games and board games are social. They put children in scenarios where they have to interact with other children to reach their goals. Children are well-served by practicing a habit of approaching problems with an understanding of how behaviors relate to results. (HBS)

For example:

  • Card games require children to keep track of numbers and rules and exercise their working memory.
  • Board games need fast decision-making in challenging situations.
  • Games are built on strategic thinking, where a decision now relates to an abstract event in the future. These are especially valuable because children have to make decisions involving other people’s actions. Children will start to understand how their own choices relate to the decisions of other people.
  • Complex rule sets. The mere practice of learning and playing within a complex set of rules gives children practice for higher functions.

Implementing these games with a more intentional approach will better teach self-control strategies. When children are playing, compliment how they are being cooperative and following rules. When they are frustrated, praise them when they aren’t having an outburst. This will help encourage them to continue having self-control while playing.

Physical Activities or Games

In addition to indoor activities, parents and teachers can use outdoor activities for teaching children self-control.

  • Organized sports place children in situations that teach them higher cognitive functions. When children play sports they are regularly practicing the functions of self-control. Remembering rules and habits of play practices working memory. Avoiding cheating and channeling energy practices inhibitory control. Practicing ingenuity and imaginative solutions helps children with cognitive flexibility.

How much self-control children learn from physical activities like organized sports will depend on how those activities are framed for them. Organized sports already have all the teaching elements. They just need to be explained in a social and emotional learning context.

Music, Singing, Dancing, and Other Creative Pursuits

self-control games creative pursuits create a positive learning context for self-control

The discipline and emotional engagement of various creative pursuits create a positive learning context for self-control. Pursuing a creative discipline teaches children many higher cognitive functions. (Harvard)

For example:

  • When children learn a musical instrument, it helps them practice self-monitoring and selective attention. Learning a musical instrument also teaches working memory as they memorize songs and practice using the instrument correctly.
  • Musical classes can also provide social opportunities for children. Playing in a band or orchestra helps students to practice cognitive flexibility in order to cooperate with the other children.
  • Dancing provides similar opportunities to practice higher cognitive skills that contribute to self-control strategies for students.

These creative activities, and others, provide students the ability to practice skills that contribute to self-control. Painting, writing, woodworking, sculpture–pretty much every creative activity has an element of disciplined goal-orientedness that helps children practice self-control. Teachers and parents can use all creative endeavors as social and emotional learning tools.

Stop, Breathe, and Think

Sometimes normal games aren’t enough to help students regulate self-control. In moments when students are having an emotional moment, they can be taught how to expel their energy in a positive way. Using the Stop, Breathe, and Think Technique children are taught to realize when their emotional balloons are full and retreat to a designated corner to control themselves. They can use fun breathing exercises like the bees breathing technique that James uses here to release that emotional energy. 

Learn about creating a peace corner for your classroom or home here.

Social and emotional learning means everything to us over here at Soul Shoppe. We have developed teaching tools and techniques to help teachers and parents at school and at home. With tools like our Stop and Breathe Technique and our peace corner, we give educators everywhere the resources they need to help students with social-emotional learning. Click for information on SEL programs for elementary schools or social emotional homeschool electives.

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