I can think of many conflicts that could be resolved with strategies learned this week towards solving issues more effectively. Recently, I had a small disagreement with a parent regarding their behavior in my classroom, humoursly the mom had an issue with her 4 year old son, playing in housekeeping with dolls, and barbies. She preceded to yell at him and take the toy from him each time she entered the classroom. Upon speaking with her after school privately she stated that she did not want her child playing with "girl toys", and became angry that I replied that all children including boys play with many different gender toys/roles as they explore the world around them. The conversation was not really resolved at the end and although she refrained from the yelling and aggression within the classroom, I could still tell she was upset by the situation. One strategy that might be helpful in this situation is to take some tips from the "third side" in viewing other's perspectives. I think that listening from the "third side" would be helpful towards really understanding and considering the mothers point of view. "Listening allows us on opportunity to see from multiple vantage points and allows us to see the whole. Listening is a simple way to show respect. Watch your intention in your listening. If your intention to listen is to find a way to convince them of "your way" , to prove them "wrong" or "convert the right side," you will not create an opportunity for a solution that supports each side and the surrounding community." (The Third Side. nd.)
Another strategy that could have been helpful is to seek understanding first before relaying my own point of view. "If we encourage others to explain their side first, they will be more apt to listen to ours."(Billikopf, G. 2009)
References
Billikopf, G. (2009, August). Conflict management skills. Retrieved from http://cnr.berkeley.edu/ucce50/ag-labor/7labor/13.htm
Website: The Third Side. (n.d.). The third side. Retrieved from http://www.thirdside.org/
Hi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI think that you provided great strategies for managing conflict in your situation. Viewing others perspectives can be difficult, especially in the middle of conflict. Many people believe that their way is the right way and are so quick to jump on the other person. I am guilty of doing this in the past. I think The Third Side would be great to follow. As you mentioned, listening to the mother's point of view and understanding why she feels the way that she does may have been helpful. I believe that you handled the situation correctly, however it sounds that the mother may have still been conflicted. Unfortunately not everyone is able to see things the way others do so it can be difficult to manage conflict or resolve it all together.
Hello Ashley,
ReplyDeleteListening is very important in resolving conflict. I am glad that you mentioned that our intention for listening is also important. We shouldn't be listening so we can prove the other person from. In listening we should be trying to gain the other person's perspective and see how both our needs can be met.
Karina