Schools across the country say they’re seeing an uptick in disruptive behaviors. Some are obvious and visible, like students trashing bathrooms, fighting over social media posts, or running out of classrooms. Others are quieter calls for help, like students putting their head down and refusing to talk. The behavior issues are a reflection of the stress the pandemic placed on children, experts say, upending their education, schedules, and social lives. For students dealing with grief, mental health issues, or the layered effects of poverty and racism, big transitions can be even more challenging. Teaching your students the value of using words to solve conflict is a lesson they will use their entire lives. You can work together as a class to develop a phrase to help start the resolution process. For example, “Let’s find a way to work together.” Learning to discuss desired outcomes and their feelings keeps them from assigning blame and focusing on the cause of the conflict.
