Interpersonal conflict is a part of life.
Some of the suggestions below can be used with children as young as preschoolers. Other should be taught to elementary age children and definitely be part of their coping skills by the time they get to middle school when instances of insults, teasing, ugly rumors, and hurtful name-calling escalate. Usually it is because many children react to the stress of greater peer pressure and confusion about their identity by taking their anger out on others. When children do not have effective skills for coping with verbal agression, they may respond in ways that increase interpersonal conflict and, perhaps, even endanger their safety. Some youngsters may physically fight back, resulting in injury and the possibility of revenge and more fighting at a later time.