One of the most common questions I get asked is how to respond when two toddlers or preschoolers are involved in an altercation. If your child has just been hit, had their toy snatched, pushed… just what should you do?
My answer is called the “Two Arm Technique” taught to me by Althea Poulos. Here is how it goes:
When you witness a situation when two young children are in a carfuafle, begin by ask yourself “who owns the problem”? In the case of a child having a toy snatched from their hands, it is the child who lost the toy. Our culture likes to label this child the “victim” and we have very strong personal ideas about helping an innocent victim! Our first impulse is to rush over and console the “poor upset victim” and to admonish the “bully” who overstepped his bounds. We pluck the toy from the “bully”, yell at him for his mean behaviour and return it to the “victim” so we have set things right!
The trouble with this response is that it actually grooms a child to be more likely to be a victim, because they have learned by standing still and looking tearful and upset (under-resourced or being incapable), someone will come and handle their life problems. The successful outcome shows the child that their approach was a good strategy to solve a problem. This does not hold up well as a life lesson. We don’t want to teach this.
The other faulty notion is to mistakenly believe that the child snatching the toy was in some way being mean and brutal. No, in fact, that child is also deficient in how to solve his life problems. He wants a toy and so he must solve how to get it. Much of what young children know has come from watching their parents deal with them, and they frequently learn from parent-child interactions, that “might is right”.
The child takes the most simplistic model he is aware of in his young age and experience and goes about solving his situation with his peers the only way he knows. He has no feelings of meanness, he just wants to solve the problem of getting the toy! If we punish this boy he may potentially learn that “life is out to get me” and that he is a “bad boy” and he will begin to grow and develop in line with that expectation. Our responses will actually foster BOTH the “bully” and the “victim” idea we are fearful of and trying to avoid!
The parent or teacher’s role in these scenarios is to train the children in ways to deal more effectively and co-operatively with this life challenge. It is a time to guide and teach (the real basis of discipline) not to punish. Neither is a victim or bully, they are just two children in need of skills development and in growing their “social interest” as we Adlerian call it (also known as social feeling – caring for others).
So try this instead:
Drop to your knees so you are at eye level to the children when talking ( this is so very important to creating a sense of equality and respect) Being towered over is very intimidating and distancing.
Collect both children up so they are facing one another – after all – this is their problem and their discussion. The teacher or adult should be physically in a position that is neutral (not holding one child or standing beside one child – this gives the feeling of “two against one” and we are NOT here to take sides, or act as police or judge). The name of this technique comes from the holding of each child, one in each of your arms, gently.
Hopefully in this position you will feel more like a mediator yourself. Here is the script for the conversation that follows:
Parent to crying child: ” Did you like that ? ”
Crying child: (shakes head or keeps crying – often not verbal or preverbal)
Parent to crying child: “looks like you are saying you didn’t like, you need to speak up. Can you say “I don’t like that” Your friend needs to know, he is a good listener. ( nice little bit of encouragement there eh? )
Parent to crying child: “Tell your friend, say “I’m not done yet”
(either the child will repeat the words you have just given them, and speak up for themselves saying “I am not done yet” OR they will say nothing and so you can say the words, but the message is coming from the crying child NOT from you!)
Parent to the toy snatcher: “You friend is saying they don’t like that, they are not done yet. ”
Parent to the toy snatcher: “Did you want a turn with the toy?”
Toy snatcher: Nods, or says yes, or looks at you neutrally
Parent to the toy snatcher: “can you tell your friend that ? can you say “I’d like a turn please”
( again – see if the child will repeat your words, if not – you say them – but, don’t fall into the trap of talking for yourself. There is a world of difference between “your friend is asking for a turn when you are done” (correct version – the message is from the child, delivered by the adult) versus “Its his turn next” (is the adults instruction, and NOT a message from one child to another other).
Parent to crying child: “your friend has asked you for a turn” ” Can you find him and give him the toy when you are done?”
Crying child will either be neutral (take that as a yes) or they will nod or say yes to affirm.
Parent to BOTH children: “GREAT – looks like you two worked it out!”
At this point I might use redirection to help the child left waiting for his turn by asking him what he would like to do while he is waiting.
Did you notice I did not make them hug or say sorry? I’ll have to write another post on that too. But for now appreciate the idea of helping children learn language skills so they can handle these situations without an adult in the future.
If you visit an Adlerian classroom you will often hear children saying “I don’t like” and teachers saying back “good speaking up!”. If you train children to solve their problems they don’t need to come to the teacher when discourse occurs. This is great preparation for the big world of school hallways and school yards at recess that are soon to come!
Two Arm Technique for Hitting
Parent to crying child: ” Did you like that ? ”
Crying child: (shakes head or keeps crying – often not verbal or preverbal)
Parent to crying child: “looks like you are saying you didn’t like, you need to speak up. Can you say “I don’t like that” Your friend needs to know, he is a good listener.
(either the child will repeat the words you have just given them, and speak up for themselves saying “I don’t like that” OR they will say nothing and so you can say the words, but the message is coming from the crying child NOT from you!)
Parent to the hitter / pusher: “You friend is saying they don’t like that ”
Parent to the hitter / pusher: “We need to feel safe in (house / classroom/ play group)” “Your friend might like to play with you more if he knew he was safe. Can you tell your friend he will be safe? Can you say ” I won’t do that again?” (notice this is a plan or promise for future behaviour and not an apology for past behaviour)
Parent to hitter / pusher: ” Is there something you could do to make your friend feel better” (this is restitution and healing since someone was hurt)
Hitter / pusher probably will look blankly since they have never done this before.
Parent to crying child: “would you like a hug from him?” ( its okay for them to say no … but if they say yes…
Parent to hitter / pusher: ” your friend is saying they’d like a hug – would you like to give one? (its okay for them to say no… but usually they do just hug.
Parent to BOTH children: “GREAT – looks like you two are ready to play together safely again!”