n exploring conflict, commit to trying on different perspectives in the conflict. Draw out of a bowl a particular role with an attached explanation. Play that role in teams of four or five, expressing your beliefs. Debrief with the whole group, adding in different perspectives in time, gender, geography, economy, and ethnicity. Evaluate the roles …
Show pictures and/or video of certain situations at school and in the surrounding neighborhood. Examples include: seeing garbage on the floor, an elderly person dropping their cane, a person not able to get through a door because their hands are full, a child crying or looking sad, or classmates arguing or fighting. Hold a classroom …
Set aside times during the day when no one in the family touches technology. Turn off all cell phones, televisions, computers, etc. Youth who are always engaged in technology are more impulsive and rarely have time for self-reflection, which is at the core of mindfulness. If your family is technology dependent, intentionally create more quiet …
An opportunity to explore controversial issues and divergent positions and work to reach consensus on what may have happened– highlighting the complexities of particular perspectives, opinions and events. Have youth argue one side of an argument and then have them switch sides before negotiating an agreement between the two sides. The controversial issues can be …
To help young people deal with feelings of anger and frustration, try using the visual of a stoplight: green is calm, yellow is frustrated, and red is angry. Ask them to recognize and briefly describe their color. Are they moving up or down to a different color? What can they do to get to green? …
A person who recognizes when something is wrong and then acts to make it right; doing one’s best to help support and protect someone who is being mistreated; being socially responsible. There are many online campaigns and curricula that teach youth to be upstanders and how to take on bullying and negative peer behaviors. Most …
A simple, effective parallel thinking technique developed by E. de Bono that helps people be more productive, focused, and mindfully involved. It forces people to move outside of their habitual thinking styles and get a more rounded view of a situation. Team members learn how to separate thinking into six clear functions and roles. Each …
Adults often talk too much and our youth tune out. A silent signal speaks louder than words. Smile and point to the shoes that need to be picked up; use a consistent signal or sound that quiets a room; when you feel upset, put your hand on your heart to show youth that you care …
A strategy for people to use when they see potential for solutions but don’t feel comfortable or safe bringing their ideas up publicly. A form of shuttle diplomacy is asking one of the people in a conflict, “Have you considered…?” or “What if you tried…?” in order to encourage them to share their ideas.
Teach youth the importance of face-saving in a conflict. Teach them how to calm themselves or another angry person through deep breathing and validation of their needs. Restate the needs or issues involved in the conflict if the person has trouble understanding. Don’t be remembered as the person that “lost it” and let their emotions …
Ensure there is always a safe space for conversation. This is a space to gather, a place that honors, respects and makes people feel they can collaborate safely inside. Safe spaces also need to be developed for youth after school to ensure they have a safe place to be, away from any violence of their …
A way to build commitment, buy-in and skills is to alternate between facilitators during family meetings or classroom group work. Teach youth the skills of effective facilitation, including courtesy, careful listening, time management, and organization of ideas. They should routinely reflect on the challenges of effective facilitation and brainstorm solutions to address those challenges. Thus …
