When students have a conflict they are often urged to resolve it at peer mediation. This is a very limited model and isn't a proactive approach. Skills are taught and reinforced daily. When an emergency arises, teachers and students know how to handle the situation before it escalates to violence. Teachers know best how to teach skills.
Students learn best within an environment that is emotionally and physically safe.
Teachers have the opportunity to build a caring community within their classrooms and help our multicultural students live harmoniously. Beginning on the interpersonal level, students discover that conflict is natural, and when things go wrong it's normal to feel angry, hurt, and frustrated. They learn to approach conflicts as problems to be solved, to assert their feelings, listen openly to another's perspective, search for options that take into consideration the needs of people, and to take responsibility for their actions. Learning these life skills helps children feel good about themselves, thus developing a more positive self-image. These skills help children deal with conflict at home, and often act as mediators when their siblings fight.