Main

Options in
Dealing
with
Conflicts

Below are some options people

choose from when faced with
conflicts:
Avoidance or withdrawal.
Aggression.
Accommodation.
Compromise.
Collaboration or collaborative
problem-solving.

Collaborative
Problem Solving
Approach
Story telling.
Focusing.
Thinking Up.
Concurring.

Some Tips to a Good

Dialogue
Speak in a gentle.
Think carefully of what you are
going to say.
Use the I-message.
Admit your own responsibility to the
conflict.
Avoid using hazy statement and
global words such as always and
never.

 Be willing to tell the other person

his/her positive attributes.
Show positive regard and
respect.
Be tough on the problem, not on
the person.
Dont take anything personally.
Be solution-oriented.

Listening Tips
Actively listen.
Listen with empathy.
Accept criticism of your
ideas or behavior.
Paraphrase what you
heard.

What is Mediation?
Ideally, two people with a conflict
should be able to resolve their
problem through a face- to-face
dialogue. However, disputants
sometimes find themselves lacking
in courage or skill to handle a
problem-solving process.
The mediator can use the problemsolving approach described above in

There are characteristics or

qualities essential to a good
mediator.
1. Mediators have to be impartial
to establish trust among
parties in conflict.
2. Mediators should be flexible
and creative.
3. Mediators should be good at
analysis.

4. It would be good for mediators

to lead parties into focusing on
the interests as this opens up
the possible alternatives toward
a solution.
5. They should also be
trustworthy and optimistic. They
should anticipate a positive
outcome and influence
adversaries with such hope.


Conflict transformation is a
higher goal compared to conflict
resolution (CR). Lederach (2003)
explains
that
conflict
transformation
involves
changing the way parties look at
issues, behaviors, and people or
groups. Transformation must
take place at both the internal

 What is peaceable classroom?

The concept was first coined by
William Kreidler, an elementary
school teacher and conflict expert
who saw the conflict in the
classroom was caused by many
factors such as miscommunication,
exclusion, the inability to express
feelings appropriately, and the lack
of care and respect for each other
(Lantieri and Patti, 1996)

 A peaceable classroom is
characterized by affirmation,
cooperation, communication,
appreciation for diversity,
appropriate expression of
feelings and peaceful conflict
resolution.
Creating a peaceable classroom
is a way to help students respect
and appreciate each other

Here are some ways to help

create that atmosphere of
love and acceptance in our
classrooms:

Declare your classroom a zone of

peace and establish rules to achieve
it.
As the teacher, let this peace begin
with you.
Affirm your students.
Express feelings appropriately and
encourage students to do so.

 Encourage respect for and

acceptance of differences.
Employ more cooperative than
competitive activities.
Teach students how to resolve
conflicts peacefully and
constructively.
Practice students skills of
communication.

 A peaceable classroom is one

where students feel safe and
secure. It is a place where
they grow as persons without
threats of being ridiculed,
marginalized or hurt.

The End