Teaching conflict resolution skills to Tanzanian children: A holistic effort

What is it about?

In an ever changing society, children are more likely to suffer in conflicts. It may cause them to develop aggressive behavior. If such behavior persists, it could make it difficult for children to become a part of the future society. For this reason, preventing such behavior at an early age through conflict resolution skills is important. Understanding the cultural and social environment a child grows up in, can help teach such skills. Notably, in Tanzania, parents are not very involved in teaching conflict resolution. This study's authors examined the methods employed by school teachers and parents to teach these skills to refugee preschool children in Tanzania. In addition, they studied the challenges encountered while teaching these skills. They found that school principals used strategies such as parents’ interference, religious lessons, and a children’s government to teach conflict resolution. For parents, a school’s rules and convincing children through conversation and compromise were effective means to do so. Poor ties between parents and schools, poverty, and language barriers made it difficult to teach these skills to children.

Featured Image

Photo by Francois B. Arthanas on Unsplash

Photo by Francois B. Arthanas on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The role of conflict resolution is to stimulate creative approaches to problems in life. Children who are migrants often experience conflict and trauma which affects their mental health. To ensure their mental and physical wellbeing, it is important to understand the challenges in teaching conflict resolution. One must take deliberate steps to address them. This will help children integrate into the host society with greater ease. KEY TAKEAWAY: Teachers and parents should work together to develop new ways to teach conflict resolving skills to refugee children at home and in school. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: • SDG 4: Quality Education • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being