Social relationships should not be considered merely as the way individuals get along with others. Interaction with others plays a crucial part in the social development of children in terms of how they interpret words, gestures and attitudes of others toward themselves. Every social interaction holds messages that children interpret as enforcing…

Students must demonstrate not only academic ability but also social competence as they develop to become involved members of society. This guide for teachers, parents, and other professionals addresses the necessity for teaching students social competence as they also learn their core academic material. The program starts with solid lessons in…

Suggests using books to nurture development of children's positive self-images by employing Narrative Therapy, a family therapy technique. Discusses guidelines to help children behave in more socially mature ways. Defines terms used in Narrative Therapy and gives examples of techniques. Lists children's books by therapy category and suggests ways…

This manual is designed to introduce problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to 8-13 year old students. Following an introductory section, eight lesson plans are given. The first three lessons present basic skills of conflict management. Lessons four through eight focus on the steps in the mediation process. Each lesson includes suggestions…

Describes a class project where students conduct research about their names. These intensely personal activities foster historical and multicultural insight, prosocial action, and a sense of community on the part of the students. Includes an appendix with lesson plans, extension activities, and related resources. (MJP)

The "Talk It Out" approach is presented for use by elementary school teachers. Talk It Out employs the techniques of conflict resolution, mediation, and negotiation in order to resolve problems that occur in most classrooms, such as teasing, put-downs, pushing, hitting, cheating, gossiping and refusing to share. Readers are provided classroom…

This manual on Early Childhood Services (E.C.S.) focuses on strategies for enhancing social skills in young children and describes 10 two-hour training sessions. The goals of the training are to help teachers understand and identify young children's social development difficulties; to offer guidelines for dealing with inappropriate behaviors; and…

Suggests looking at group dynamics when managing conflicts between children in the classroom. Uses an example from the classroom to demonstrate how teachers can facilitate safe and fair conflict management, increase cooperative behavior, and, as a result, contribute to children's self-esteem. Discusses careful observation in the classroom,…

Both student and teacher materials for a unit introducing elementary students to conflict situations and conflict resolution techniques are presented. The student materials contain pre- and posttests and 27 exercises in which students examine emotions, love and friendship, frustration, learned behavior, and basic needs, and explore different ways…