# Peaceful Playground: Solving Conflicts Script **Teacher:** "Good morning, class! Today, we are going to talk about how we can solve problems with our friends and make sure our classroom is a happy and respectful place to learn."

**Teacher:** "Has anyone ever had a small disagreement with a friend? It can be something like sharing toys or taking turns. Can someone share a quick story about a time they had a disagreement? (Remember, you don’t have to share if you don’t want to, and we only share if everyone feels comfortable.)"

*Pause to allow one or two students to share.* **Teacher:** "Thank you for sharing! Sometimes, these disagreements can make us feel upset or frustrated. But guess what? We have special ways to solve these problems."

**Teacher:** "Let’s think of a conflict as a puzzle that we need to solve together. What do you think are some steps we could take to solve a problem with a friend? Take a moment to think and then share one idea you have."

*Encourage a few answers from different students, ensuring each suggestion is acknowledged.* **Teacher:** "Those are great ideas! Some of the steps we can use are:" - "First, stop and take a deep breath." - "Next, listen carefully to what the other person is saying." - "Then, share your feelings without blaming." - "Finally, work together to find a solution that makes both of you happy."

**Teacher:** "Let's act out a quick role-play to see how these steps work. I need two volunteers. One of you will play the role of someone who accidentally took a toy without asking, and the other will be the friend who feels upset."

*After selecting two volunteers, guide them through the role-play with prompts if needed.* **Teacher:** "Okay, let’s begin. Remember, the first step is to take a deep breath. Now, can you both show that?" *Allow a moment for them to take a deep breath together.* **Teacher (to the child who took the toy):** "Now, please explain to your friend what happened, using kind words." *Encourage the student to speak gently. Then, ask the upset friend to explain how they felt calmly." **Teacher:** "Great job! After both of you have talked, what could you do next to fix the situation?" *Pause for responses. Encourage the students to reason out a solution together, such as returning the toy, apologizing, or finding a new way to share it.*

**Teacher:** "Wasn’t that interesting? When we listen and talk kindly, we can solve puzzles instead of letting them become big problems. How do you think this makes our classroom a better place?"

*Allow answers and encourage multiple perspectives.* **Teacher:** "Perfect! When we use these steps, we show respect for ourselves and our friends, making everyone feel safe and happy."

**Teacher:** "Before we wrap up, can anyone tell me one way you can use these steps during the day? Think of a situation you might face and how you would handle it."

*Allow more responses* **Teacher:** "Thank you for sharing your ideas! Remember, every time you solve a problem peacefully, you are making our classroom a better place. Let's all try to be kind and respectful to each other every day!"

**Teacher:** "Great job today, everyone! Keep up the good work and remember: a peaceful playground starts with you!"

Script

Peaceful Playground: Solving Conflicts

Kelly Emmett