Non Violent Communication and Conflict Management

I am usually an individual that will avoid conflict at all possible. However, I am a human being that has opinions, feelings, and suggestions. I recently had a small conflict with a colleague, who felt as though a child within our class should receive behavior management at the age of one. She also discussed mentioning to the family, how aggressive the child can be.

There are two problems with this situation, the first; my colleague has been there less than three months, and secondly, the child’s behavior is typical at this age. I have worked with this child’s family for over five years, with their other children, and I also know that there are steps that have to be taken when “confronting”, or communicating with this particular child and family.

During a team meeting, I refrained myself from lashing out, and communicating inappropriately, instead I practiced my active listening skills, respected everyone’s’ opinions and suggestions by waiting patiently for everyone to have a turn to speak.

When I had a time to speak, I suggested giving this child a little more time before we jump to conclusions about suggesting the child has “aggressive behavior”, I felt as if we should continue classroom observations, and practice age appropriate strategies, that will facilitate this child’s engagement with the materials in the classroom, this in turn may refrain from hitting, or biting, and allow the child the opportunity to explore her environment in a positive way.

The end result was a mutual decision to follow my suggestions, as well as my colleague’s suggestion of giving the family the heads up, of areas in which we may see concern.