How to Teach Conflict Resolution for Children (Yes, It's Possible!)

Tired of the constant squabbles between your kids? Learn how to stop them from fighting and teach conflict resolution for children instead.

Sometimes my boys seem to intentionally choose to fight. Even if I offer two of the same fire trucks, one would still want the truck that the other one had. And just when I’d finally convince one child to play with the “less desirable” truck, the other would grab it, too.

A game of catch always seems to end with one of them upset that the other got more points. Dinnertime antics can easily turn into hurled insults and making someone cry. And let’s not forget the hitting, the “mine!” or the “being annoying on purpose.”

No wonder we can feel like referees in our own homes.

Conflict resolution for children

As inevitable or annoying as sibling rivalry might be, I also knew that chronic arguing and bullying don’t have to be a part of life.

You see, I don’t believe siblings are destined to fight all the time. They shouldn’t get along only once they’re adults, but throughout childhood. That they should have lifelong friendships starting now.

And that begins with teaching them how to problem-solve their conflicts.

When my husband and I were expecting for the second time, we wanted our kids to get along, right from the start. We knew they’d fight, but we wanted to teach them how to resolve conflict on their own. We didn’t want to be the only way for them to stop fighting—we wanted them to find a resolution themselves.

Here’s what we learned about effective conflict resolution strategies and defusing tensions in difficult situations.

1. Show empathy to both children

Children, regardless of who did what, need to feel heard. Describe and narrate what’s happening and how each child feels, no matter who instigated the argument. Both children have valid feelings that need to be acknowledged and expressed.

After all, even the child who “started it” did so for a reason. Acknowledge this reason without judging either of them. No matter how wrong your child’s actions may be, he still feels like an injustice has been done to him.

You might say, “You’re fighting over the car. Theo, you’re upset because Alex is playing with the car you were playing with earlier. And Alex, you’re upset because Theo got up to play with something else, so you thought you could play with the car now.”

Notice that nothing in that statement includes instructions on what they should do. Instead, you’re describing what happened and acknowledging what each child feels. You’re validating their emotions by saying what they’re likely thinking or feeling.

The best part? You’re modeling what peaceful conflict resolution skills look like. You’re not resorting to anger or losing your temper right along with them. Instead, you’re showing them how to calm down and find a solution.

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2. Don’t resolve your children’s conflict

What’s your first reaction with your kids’ disagreements? Do you barge in, hoping to put an end to the fighting as soon as possible?

Even if you mean well, solving their conflict can backfire. You’re not giving them the chance to experience the discomfort of fighting or come up with possible solutions. They’re unable to show empathy, learn effective communication skills, or see how their words and actions affect others.

The worst part? They grow used to needing an adult to resolve their conflict each time they fight, rather than learning to work it out themselves.

As uncomfortable as it is watching them struggle, hold back for as long as you can. Describe what happened, and what each child must be feeling as a way to acknowledge both their emotions.

Then, ask what they can do to resolve the conflict in a way they’re both happy about. Offer your suggestions if they can’t come up with any, and guide them to speak and interact peacefully with one another. Ask how each one can compromise.

Don’t see yourself as the sole conflict resolver who can put a stop to the fighting. Instead, think of yourself as a coach, offering guidance and showing them how to be problem solvers.

3. Suggest turn-taking, sharing, or dividing the items

Turn-taking is my go-to move when the kids are fighting over the same thing. For example, I explain to one child that he’ll have a chance to play with the train for a few minutes before he hands it to his brother. Then the same applies to his brother. Back and forth.

We’ve even had luck with extended turn-taking. My eldest was wearing swim goggles, but his little brother wanted to wear them as well. I explained, “It’s brother’s turn right now. When he’s done, he’ll give it to you.”

Then I told my eldest, “When you’re done, make sure to give the goggles to him.” When he forgets, I remind him to hand the goggles to his brother so both know I mean my word.

You can take it further and set a timer in case one child is taking too long. If both kids want to ride the scooter, set a timer on your phone for 10 minutes, at which point the scooter gets passed to the child who was waiting.

And lastly, you can also use popsicle sticks, like if you need to pick one person at random. Write their names on sticks and place them in a jar, allowing you to choose a name randomly.

Get more tips on how to stop kids from fighting.

4. Foster playing together and sharing

Rather than focusing on how to divide the item or separate your young children, do the opposite and encourage them to play and share.

Let’s say your older child is playing with a guitar that your younger one has his eye on. Understandably, your older child doesn’t want his brother clamoring for the guitar. Instead of shooing his brother away or diving deeper into conflict, explain to your older child that his brother wants to learn from him.

You might say, “He likes the guitar you’re playing with. Can you show him how it works? He doesn’t know yet how to play it.”

Now he’s in teacher mode instead of a whiny, “get my brother out of here” mode. I’ve seen an instant switch when I do this with my kids, and it’s pretty awesome to see their interaction change. You can also have them point out the cool features of a toy, or read a book to the other one.

Learn how to get your child to help with younger siblings.

5. Don’t make the older child in charge of the younger one

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“You’re their brother, not their parent,” we’ll tell our eldest. While being the older sibling does have its roles, he shouldn’t discipline the way his parents do.

Your older child isn’t responsible for enforcing rules and responsibilities. Your children are equals, and no child should have more or less authority when it comes to discipline.

As Dr. Laura Markham from Aha Parenting and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids says:

“Don’t make her ‘watch’ him or play with him. If she tries to enforce family rules say ‘Thanks, Sweetheart. I’m glad you know the family rules and are so good at following them, but it’s the parents’ job to be in charge.'”

6. Don’t take sides

Another common parenting mistake with disputes? Focusing on who started it or who made the worse offense. It doesn’t matter who started it. Both have valid reasons to address.

Let’s say one child hit the other. Don’t assume that the one who was hit is all in the clear—she may have been annoying her brother so much that her brother felt compelled to hit her. Hitting isn’t the right answer and should be addressed, but so too should the other child’s behavior.

Get more tips on sibling rivalry solutions.

7. Separate your children if needed

Younger children might want to hit each other in the face, or cry and cry with no end in sight. In cases like these, separate them so they avoid hurting each other. They might also need cool-down time apart.

No point trying to make this a teachable moment when your kids are too upset to listen. Focus on calming them down first, sending them their separate ways if they need the physical space. Then, only once they’re calm should you invite them together to talk about what happened.

8. Encourage, don’t force, your children to say sorry

Sometimes, we assume stopping kids from fighting means forcing them to apologize. After all, saying sorry is a fantastic way to show true remorse and empathy for others, not to mention good manners.

However, don’t force them to say sorry. You might get a lazy or even sarcastic apology with no genuine intent. They might even throw a tantrum because they don’t feel compelled to apologize. Worse, they might be less likely to say it on their own in the future.

Instead, encourage them to say sorry or even give each other a hug or high-five. Explain that apologizing makes the other person feel better. Often, both kids need to apologize, and not just the offender. Apologizing gives them the closure they need and is the cue that says things can go back to normal.

And if they don’t say sorry? Let it go and circle back to the moment at a later time. They’ll be more likely to acknowledge their wrongdoing when they’re calmer and less defensive.

Read what to do when your child refuses to apologize.

Conclusion

Nothing zaps our days more than conflict situations among your kids, but now you have the tools to help them practice conflict resolution for children.

Listen to their emotions and empathize with both of them, regardless of who instigated the conflict. Teach them to express frustration and resolve conflicts by negotiating, turn-taking, and playing as a team. And do as much as you can to prevent sibling rivalry to begin with.

All sibling relationships will have conflict, but we can do our best to teach our kids how to resolve them peacefully and remain good friends.

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