Teaching Conflict Resolution with the Get GRIT Program

Conflict is a normal part of growing up, but without the right tools, it can lead to hurt feelings, broken friendships, and classroom disruption. That’s why conflict resolution is a key focus in the Get GRIT Program, a whole school program that strengthens students’ social and emotional learning skills.

Why Conflict Resolution Matters

Helping students learn how to manage disagreements in a calm, respectful way supports a safe and inclusive school environment. More importantly, it builds essential life skills — like empathy, communication, and emotional regulation — that serve children well beyond the classroom.

Tools for Conflict Resolution: ‘I’ Messages and Reflective Listening

The Get GRIT Program teaches practical, age-appropriate strategies to help students work through conflict. Students learn ‘I’ messages and reflective listening.

1. ‘I’ Messages: Expressing Yourself Respectfully

‘I’ messages give students a way to express their feelings and needs without blaming or accusing the other person. The structure is simple and effective:

I feel (emotion) when (situation), I need (positive action).

An example a student might use:

“I feel sad when I’m left out. I need you to include me.”

This script helps students own their emotions and make a clear, respectful request — which often leads to better understanding and resolution.

2. Reflective Listening: Making Others Feel Heard

Reflective listening teaches students to listen actively and respond in a way that shows they understand the other person’s point of view. The structure looks like this:

I heard you say (summary), you feel (emotion), you need (need).

An example:

“I heard you say I left you out. You feel upset, and you need me to include you next time.”

When students hear their thoughts and feelings reflected back, they feel acknowledged and valued. This builds trust and encourages problem-solving.

A Whole School Approach to Social and Emotional Learning

One of the strengths of the Get GRIT Program is its whole school approach. These strategies aren’t taught in isolation — they are practised across classrooms, modelled by staff, and reinforced throughout the school day. This consistency helps embed the language and skills of emotional intelligence and conflict resolution school-wide.

Final Thoughts

Teaching students how to resolve conflict respectfully builds a stronger, more connected school community. With tools like ‘I’ messages and reflective listening, the Get GRIT Program empowers students to express themselves, listen to others, and take charge of their relationships in positive, meaningful ways.