NVC » NVC in Education

How Nonviolent Communication can be present in our education system? 

It seems to me today no one is questioning, how important to support children not only in improving their cognitive intelligence but emotional intelligence as well.  But teachers didn't get much support how to do this, beside having clear expectations of they should be able to do it. 

My dream is to train peer mediators age 6-10 in schools where some of the teacher and parents are willing to learn NVC well enough to be able to practice. 

Why is this important? 

Children learn a lot from the behaviour we show them.  What do they see?  Where they can see an example worth to follow how to solve conflict?  What they on television? Or from ferry tails? Or how mommy and daddy is solving conflicts at dinner table? Or how teachers are solving problems at school?  

Hm, somewhere they suppose to see an example of it.  If we adults can not be a "perfect" in solving conflicts but we show them we have the intention to discuss all the issues we have is already a great step.

How NVC can help in mediation?

We encourage and teach children how to express what happened in a way they are not critical toward anyone else. Not themselves nor others. And to listen to the other involved parties' story.  And for me often surprisingly soon we come the common understanding where all parties agrees what happened.  It seemed to me often this was enough for them.  But since they know how to express what is in their heart by verbalising their feelings and needs helps a lot the heart to heart connection. 

When all parties agreed what happened, both rephrased back the other's feelings and needs we have the sense we understood each other.  We enter to the last part, which is reconciliation.  What can be done to heal the wound?  Often creating something together, play in the same group or just to run two circle around the house together.

Just for fun, when the last time someone who is close to you did something and you really didn't like it.  For example promised to bring home bread but didn't.  Please imagine this person is asking: What can I do to restore our connection so you are going to have the same trust toward me as in the morning when I made the promise?  

For us adults, often it is really difficult to find this solution.  Maybe we could run together more often around the house. :)

Contact