Kelso and Conflict Management

Dear Family,

Conflict or disagreement is normal and often happens when children get together.  However,  hurtful words,  gestures,  or physical attack are unacceptable ways to deal with conflict at school.

As part of North Colonie’s classroom guidance program,  conflict management skills are taught to all second graders.  My friend Kelso and I will be visiting your child’s classroom once a week for several weeks while they are in second grade.  Kelso is a frog who provides nine different solutions to children to help them solve their problems.  He calls these solutions “Kelso’s Choices”:

Obviously,  the main goal of this program is to teach children specific strategies for dealing with conflict.  However,  other important lessons include:

• knowing the difference between a small problem (one that a child can handle)  and a big problem (one that requires adult intervention);
• understanding the difference between “tattling” and “telling”.  The intent in tattling is to get another child in trouble,  where the intent in telling is to prevent injury or harm;
• developing empathy for other people’s feelings;  and
• enhancing problem-solving skills.

Please be sure to ask your child what he/she has learned from Kelso.  Look for the letters the children will be receiving and allow your child the opportunity to teach you and other family members different ways to solve conflicts.  This will help reinforce the skills that are being discussed in school.

I hope you and your child find this program both useful and worthwhile.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely, 

Sarah Conway

School Counselor