Strategies for Responding to Problems & Conflicts in the Early Childhood Classroom 

Approach calmly

• Place yourself at the child’s level

• Use a calm voice and gentle touch

Acknowledge children’s feelings

• Name and describe the children’s feelings

• Avoid asking questions until children are calmer.

Gather information

• With infants and toddlers, or children with language delays, observe children’s actions and describe the problem.

• With older toddlers & preschoolers, ask “what” questions.

Restate the problem

• Repeat again the information you have observed or heard.

Ask for children’s ideas for solutions and choose one together

• With infants and toddlers, or children with language delays, describe the choices or the solution that you see happening. Ask simple ‘yes and no’ questions.

• With older toddlers & preschoolers, ask them for ideas and agreements.

Give follow-up support

• Stay nearby to support the solution

• Tell the children, “You solved the problem!”

Adapted from video, “It’s Mine! Responding to Problems and Conflicts” & “You Can’t Come to My Birthday Party! Conflict Resolution with Young Children”, High/Scope Press.

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