Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare picture cards showing children in conflict (e.g., fighting over a toy) and in resolution (e.g., sharing, taking turns). Have a chart ready with simple class rules written or drawn with pictures. The central idea is for pupils to understand that conflict means not getting along, resolution means solving problems peacefully, and that following class rules helps everyone be friends. Observe pupils as they identify conflict situations and suggest peaceful solutions.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 2
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Civic Education
Curriculum Theme: Civic Education
Previous Lesson: Understanding good behaviour and sharing.
Topic: CONFLICT RESOLUTION: MEANING, CAUSES AND CLASS RULES
Subject Matter: Conflict Resolution: Meaning, Causes and Class Rules.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Give a simple definition of conflict.
- Give a simple definition of resolution.
- State some actions that can cause conflict among pupils.
- Identify class rules that help prevent conflicts.
Affective Domain
- Appreciate the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully.
- Show willingness to follow class rules to prevent conflict.
Psychomotor Domain
- Practice abiding by simple class rules.
- Demonstrate actions like sharing and taking turns.
Social Domain
- Participate in discussions about conflict and rules.
- Interact respectfully with peers during activities.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3.
- Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) resources.
- Relevant early-years picture books on sharing and friendship.
Instructional Materials
- Chart with simple definitions and rules.
- Posters or picture cards showing children in conflict and resolution.
- Puppets or dolls for role-play.
- Toys for demonstration of sharing.
- Audio for songs/rhymes.
- Video display (if available).
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it teaches them essential social skills for interacting peacefully with others. Understanding conflict and how to resolve it helps children manage disagreements, build friendships, and create a harmonious classroom environment, which are crucial for their overall development.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have a basic understanding of good behaviour, sharing toys, and being kind to their friends in the classroom.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
CONFLICT RESOLUTION: MEANING, CAUSES AND CLASS RULES
What is Conflict?
Conflict means when people disagree or fight. It’s when friends are not getting along, sometimes over toys or turns.
- Example: Two friends want the same toy at the same time and start pushing.
What is Resolution?
Resolution means finding a way to solve the problem and make peace. It’s when we stop fighting and find a happy way to play together again.
- Example: Sharing the toy, taking turns, or playing with another toy together.
What Causes Conflict? (Things that make friends fight)
- Not sharing toys or materials.
- Taking something from a friend without asking.
- Pushing or hitting.
- Calling names or saying unkind words.
- Not waiting for your turn.
Class Rules to Prevent Conflict (Rules for being good friends)
- Share your toys: Let everyone play.
- Take turns: Wait patiently for your chance.
- Use kind words: Say “please” and “thank you.”
- Use gentle hands: No pushing, hitting, or kicking.
- Ask nicely: If you want something, ask your friend.
- Tell the teacher: If you have a problem you cannot solve.
Sharing and Kindness Rhyme
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
When we play and share our toys,
Happy faces, happy noise.
Take a turn and wait your way,
Kind words we will always say.
No more pushing, no more fight,
Making friends and all is right!
Actions: Mimic sharing, point to self/friend, make a happy face, gentle hands, shake head “no” for pushing/fighting, hug self for “all is right.”
Watch and Learn to Share
Key Words
- Conflict – when people fight or disagree.
- Resolution – solving a problem peacefully.
- Rules – guidelines for good behaviour.
- Share – letting others use what you have.
- Kind – being nice and friendly.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Use the chart and picture cards to explain “conflict” and “resolution” with simple, relatable examples. Ask pupils to describe what they see in the pictures. For “causes of conflict,” ask pupils to give examples of things that make them or their friends unhappy. For “class rules,” read each rule clearly and use gestures or actions to illustrate it. Emphasize why each rule is important for a happy classroom.
What to show or demonstrate: Show pictures of children fighting and then sharing. Use two puppets or dolls to act out a conflict over a toy and then demonstrate how to resolve it by sharing or taking turns. Point to the rules on the chart as you discuss them.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Sharing and Kindness Rhyme” after discussing class rules. Sing it slowly first, demonstrating the actions. Repeat it several times, encouraging pupils to join in with the words and actions. Use it as a transition or a reminder during the lesson.
How to use the video: Introduce the video by saying it will show us how to be good friends and share. Play the video. After watching, ask pupils what they learned about sharing and taking turns from Daniel Tiger. Encourage them to talk about how the characters resolved their conflicts.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can identify the difference between conflict and resolution in pictures or simple scenarios. Check if they can name at least one class rule and demonstrate sharing or taking turns during activities.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Question and Answer
- Role-play
- Video Presentation
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets pupils and sings a short “Hello” song. The teacher then asks pupils what makes them happy in school and what sometimes makes them sad or upset.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and share simple ideas about what makes them happy or sad.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and begin to think about emotions in school.
Step 2: Meaning of Conflict
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Picture Talk
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a picture card of children fighting over a toy. The teacher asks, “What is happening here? Are they happy?” The teacher explains that this is called ‘conflict’ – when people disagree or fight. The teacher gives simple examples like pushing or not sharing.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the picture, respond to questions, and listen to the explanation of conflict.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that conflict means fighting or disagreeing.
Step 3: Meaning of Resolution
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a picture card of the same children now sharing the toy or taking turns happily. The teacher asks, “What happened now? Are they happy?” The teacher explains that this is ‘resolution’ – solving the problem and making peace. The teacher demonstrates sharing with a toy and a pupil.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the picture, respond to questions, and watch the demonstration of resolution.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that resolution means solving problems peacefully.
Step 4: Causes of Conflict
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Brainstorming
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils, “What are some things that make friends fight in our class?” The teacher guides them to mention things like not sharing, taking toys, pushing, or name-calling. The teacher writes or draws these ideas on the board/chart.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their ideas about what causes conflict, with teacher guidance.
Learning Point: Pupils identify common causes of conflict in their environment.
Step 5: Class Rules for Preventing Conflict
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Instruction/Rhyme Integration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the class rules for preventing conflict, pointing to each rule on the chart (e.g., Share your toys, Take turns, Use kind words, Use gentle hands, Ask nicely, Tell the teacher). The teacher then leads pupils in singing the “Sharing and Kindness Rhyme” with actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the rules, repeat them, and sing the rhyme with actions.
Learning Point: Pupils learn and practice class rules that promote peace.
Step 6: Practice and Application
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Role-play/Video Integration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses puppets or pupils to role-play a simple conflict scenario (e.g., two pupils want the same block) and guides them to use a class rule to resolve it (e.g., “Let’s take turns”). The teacher then plays the video “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood – Share It, It’s Yours” and encourages pupils to watch how Daniel and his friends share.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in role-play, suggesting solutions, and watch the video, observing how characters share.
Learning Point: Pupils apply conflict resolution strategies in a practical context and learn from examples.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4–5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- Show me a picture of conflict.
- Show me a picture of resolution.
- What should you do if you and your friend both want the same toy? (e.g., share, take turns)
- Name one class rule that helps us be friends.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate (e.g., pointing to pictures, giving oral answers).
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their participation and reminds them that being good friends and following rules makes everyone happy. The teacher emphasizes that we should always try to solve problems peacefully.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and affirm their commitment to being good friends.
Learning Point: Pupils internalize the importance of peaceful interaction and rule-following.
Lesson Keywords
- Conflict – when people fight or disagree.
- Resolution – solving a problem peacefully.
- Rules – guidelines for good behaviour.
- Share – letting others use what you have.
- Kind – being nice and friendly.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, provide more one-on-one attention, use larger and clearer picture cards, give fewer choices when asking questions, and encourage them to simply point to the correct picture or repeat a key word.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concepts quickly, ask them to suggest another way to resolve a conflict, or identify a rule they follow at home that helps prevent arguments with siblings. Encourage them to act out a short scenario demonstrating a class rule.
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