Expressive Arts Programs
Arts are a vital complement to conflict resolution skill-building. When we couple arts activities with discussions that build conflict resolution skills, the skills can be more tangible and reflection can deepen. These third graders explored anger when upset feelings weren’t actually erupting; they used writing to befriend anger. Students tried out new ideas: that anger sends a message that we can pay attention to, and that we can learn to express anger’s message constructively. By interlacing the lesson with songs and creative writing, the skills themselves were anchored in a multi-faceted way.
Expressive arts include a panoply of activities like drama, dance, musical theatre, graphic art, visual art, performance art; music, and creative writing to name the most common forms. All of these artistic endeavors offer opportunities for conflict discovery – a process of reflection and increasing awareness about one’s orientations to and reactions to conflict.
Art has the power to connect people and build community. In addition to developing an affirmative classroom climate, activities with music, storytelling, creative movement, poetry, and dramatics can help students gain deeper understanding of social situations, reinforce important social messages, and provide direct opportunities to practice skills relating to conflict resolution. Assignments in drawing, painting, and sculpting, as well, can be structured to explore the dynamics of relationships. Over the past two decades, in particular, songwriters, poets, and conflict resolution trainers have been devising new material to explore peace building creatively.
Related Videos of Possible Interest
- Another Bully Busters Song
- In a Responsive Classroom
- In the Harmony
- Kids rap - conflict resolution and respect
- Lions International Peace Poster Contest
- PeaceJam Juniors
- Peer Mediators as Change Writers
- Recess Redone - The Power of Play
- Restorative Justice Arts Initiative
- Ring the Bells music video
Related Catalog Resources
Below you'll find a randomized listing of up to 20 related items (we may have more...) drawn from our Resource Catalog.
| Resource Title | Description | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Cycles of harmony: Action research into the effects of drama on conflict management in schools | 13-page PDF paper which, "describes the first five years of an ongoing action research project (1996-2000) investigating the possibilities of using a combination of drama techniques and peer teaching on a whole-school basis to help school students explore the causes of conflict, and develop strategies for conflict prevention and mediation ... A...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Peace new birth, number 6 | Newsletter of a conflict resolution education program in Armenia, with most stories by school children. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Theater and CRE | Powerpoint presentation exploring the use of theater arts in conflict resolution education. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| They drop beats, not bombs: Music and dance in youth peace-building | 19-page PDF article from the Australian Journal of Peace Studies, volume 3, 2008 which "focuses on how young people can use music and dance for peacebuilding. It utilises the framework of positive peace so it is concerned with much more than the absence of war or direct violence. Positive peace is a peace with fustice, including gender justice. It...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Nonverbal communication card game: Gesture version | Word document with instructions for game in which groups identify nonverbal gestures. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| The Elementary Child: Teaching to the Spirit, Teaching for Peace | This combined 2-part article (published in 2 separate issues of Montessori Leadership), provides an overview of how Cathleen Haskins implemented a peace education curriculum in a Montessori classroom. It provides information on Montessori's call for peace education, and specific details on the curriculum autonomously created (activities and...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| For the Sake of Children: Peacebuilding Storytelling Guide | Online version of a book of story-based activities focused on promoting peace awareness in young people. "The intention of the peace-building stories and activities presented in this book is for any person involved with children, whether a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, a child-care worker, or a health care professional, to ignite children’s...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Conflict styles | Powerpoint presentation which defines conflict style, outlines two key dimensions of conflict style, (concern for self and concern for others) and discusses verbal styles of avoidance, competition and compromise. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Ideas for using emotion cards: Citizenship education for young people with special needs | 5-page pdf document which presents a number of images of different emotional states. The cards can be used with particular lessons or to allow children to show how they feel about specific situations. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| School conflict management resource guide for grades 7-12, 3rd ed., Fall 2002 | Pdf document of 987 pages exploring school conflict management resources for 7-12 graders, with introduction, table of contents, a for teachers section, eight academic subject sections containing hundreds of age-appropriate lessons, a section-specific table of contents within each academic subject section and a references section. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Peace new birth, number 1 | Newsletter of a conflict resolution education program in Armenia, with most stories by school children. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Peace new birth, number 5 | Newsletter of a conflict resolution education program in Armenia, with most stories by school children. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Core nonverbal communication concepts | Word document examining nonverbal communication, with exercises and games. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Bug board | Pdf document for teachers of young students (K-3) to help them identify and deal positively with angry feelings. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| The Art of Peacemaking: A Guide to Integrating CR Education into Youth Arts Program | This resource guide provides information and tools that introduce arts teachers to conflict resolution skills and processes. The guide also contains various arts-based exercises that can be used to introduce conflict resolution concepts to young people in the classroom. These exercises serve merely as a starting point; arts teachers are encouraged...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| I Painted Peace: Handbook on Peace Building with and for Children and Young People | This 72-page illustrated handbook has been designed and developed together with children and young people for children and young people. It is, however, also meant to be of use and interest to adults. The children and young people involved in the production of this handbook would like to promote, build and sustain peace in their local communities,...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Storytelling For Peace | In this 4-part series of web articles, Caren Neile outlines a case for the use of stories and storytelling in preventing conflict, reconciling differences and building peace. Included are 7 sample stories from different parts of the world, a select bibliography, and a directory of storytellers and story-educators for peace. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Interpersonal skills for dealing with conflict: Respect and support in action | Powerpoint presentation introducing interpersonal skills proven successful in dealing with conflict. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Spatial invasion | Word document with role play to emphasize personal space and boundaries. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Non-verbal active listening skills | Word document which describes active listening and outlines five body language postures that mediators should use when listening. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
