Friendships and social skills
How can adults help children resolve ordinary peer disagreements?
Direct answer
Help children settle, hear each perspective and identify a workable next step. Teach a process for asking, listening and negotiating rather than choosing a winner immediately. First check whether the situation involves bullying, coercion or a safety concern.
What this means in practice
Some disagreements can be managed with adult coaching, while others need a stronger protective response. A fair solution should consider the needs of both children. Avoid making a child accept a compromise involving personal boundaries or unsafe behaviour.
Practical next steps
- Hear each account.
- Identify the practical problem.
- Agree and review a fair next step.
Illustrative example
For a dispute over a game role, help children choose a rotation or create an additional role rather than decide by popularity.
What to keep in mind
Do not use peer mediation as a substitute for addressing a power imbalance or ongoing bullying.
Sources and further reading
The sources inform the explanation. Practical examples are educational illustrations, not individual clinical advice. How these answers are prepared.
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