Learn practical steps to help children navigate conflict resolution with Beth Pierson-Ringer.

Conflict is common in early education classrooms. 

For many children, the classroom is their first experience of being part of a community and learning to share — and sometimes, emotions run high. 

In this episode, Beth Pierson-Ringer, a HighScope curriculum expert and ECE Subhub co-owner, joins Rhonda Meyers to discuss how to guide children through healthy conflict resolution.

Beth explains that adults often feel guilty or embarrassed that children are exhibiting “bad” behavior when a conflict arises. She provides a helpful way to re-frame that thinking:

[00:07:48] “I think if we just switch our lens to ‘This is absolutely normal . . . and these are misbehaviors of kids, not bad behavior’ it helps us think of [conflict resolution] as more of a teachable skill.”

Beth highlights the importance of patience, empathy, and modeling language when teaching kids to solve problems. She walks through HighScope’s 6-step conflict resolution framework, and emphasizes that children become capable problem-solvers when adults act as partners rather than judges.

[00:10:19] “When we rush to come up with a solution . . . we don't get to teach those skills. What we’re teaching is . . . compliancy rather than the life skills that we need to be successful.”

Beth urges parents and educators to give themselves plenty of grace. It’s ok to be an adult and have big feelings too. Conflict isn’t a problem but a practice.