Conflict Resolution Theater

Theater provides a safe space to practise conflict resolution before real conflicts arise, building a repertoire of strategies children can access under pressure.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Introduce Conflict Resolution Theater: 'Today we're going to become actors! We'll act out conflicts and practise different ways to solve them. This helps us know what to do when real conflicts happen.'

Create or review the Resolution Strategy Menu: talk it out, take turns, compromise, walk away and cool down, get adult help, use rock-paper-scissors, share, apologize. Discuss when each strategy might work best.

Present a conflict scenario: 'Two friends both want to be first in line.' Ask for volunteer actors to show the conflict (briefly) and then try solving it using one strategy.

After each performance, involve the audience: 'Did that strategy work? Why or why not? What else could they try?' Have actors try a different strategy so children see multiple approaches to the same conflict.

Progress through various scenarios: sharing toys, feeling left out, accidental hurts, disagreeing about games, name-calling, rumor spreading. Always practise multiple resolution approaches.

Culminate with children creating their own conflict scenarios based on real classroom experiences. These authentic scenarios make learning most relevant.

Educator tip

Keep conflicts brief in acting—focus time on resolution practice. Some children may get stuck in the conflict and struggle to move to resolution. Coach: 'Now show us a solution!'

Assessment

Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Evaluate variety of strategies used, quality of strategy implementation in drama, and ability to analyse strategy effectiveness.

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