Supporting children to resolve disputes

Abstract

Teacher intervention in children’s disputes most commonly features cessation strategies, despite evidence showing the value of modelling problem-solving behaviours. Existing research has categorized strategies used by teachers in early childhood settings, but in this article we aim to illustrate how these practices are realized. Using the method of conversation analysis, we are able to show how children respond to different interventions, and in particular, how successful modelling of problem solving can be achieved with 4-year-old children. The extracts in this article make a case for the close study of teacher–child interactions and demonstrate how educators can support children to resolve their own disputes.