Storybox Playlist: When Kids Clash - Stories and Suggestions for Conflict Resolution
Conflict exists everywhere — even within households. Since this is natural and normal, the question is not about how to avoid clashes, but how to address conflicts with integrity. Here are some stories that use tactics and hold context for authentic conflict resolution.
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Martin & Sylvia: The Snowball Factory (from the Stories about Sibling Rivalry Collection)
Sometimes Martin just wants to be alone — and this can be frustrating to Sylvia his younger sister. After Sylvia insists on playing the same games, working on the same projects, and talking about the same things, Martin asks Momma for help. Sitting on the couch, Momma tells two stories — one about an older child and one about a younger...
The Junkyard Way (from the Junkyard Tales: All Together Now Series)
The Junkyard mice have a challenge: a bluejay stranger keeps taking the little Junkyard treasures they have found. The animals decide to enlist the support of the "Beaver Brigade," but soon realize that there might be a better way...
Defeat the Goats (from The Willowbee Tree Series)
The Willowbee children climb out of an ancient olive tree to meet a gathering of wild boars who are gearing up for a battle. The boars talk of the goats — their bitter enemies — and describe how weak, mean, and silly they are. Upon further investigation, however, the Willowbees learn that none of the boars have ever actually met a goat. Everything they know about goats comes from stories and tall tales. Piper, drawing on a similar experience she was having at school, encourages them to meet a goat and see for themselves.
The Fischer from the Top Branch - a story of healing after an election (from the Helping and Healing Handy Toolbelt of Stories Collection)
A water hole in the Serengeti plains needs a leader who will represent all creatures who need water. A Prefect is elected every wet season to monitor the water and make sure everyone is served. But choosing the Prefect is often contentious. This year, the choice is between a Fischer’s Lovebird and a Leopard — and the election is emotional, ridden with conflict and, indeed, personal.
In the end the Lovebird is elected and she immediately sees the need for healing — the need for the creatures to unite again. Luckily, she flies to the top branch of a nearby acacia tree and is able to see the land and all its creatures together. And that image helps her know what to do.
This is a story about a difficult and hurtful election and the kind of empathy and courage it take to heal and unite a community when the election is over.
Cora the Crow (from the Sparkle Sleepytime Series)
Cora is a confident, funny, and loving young crow. But sometimes her jokes are not appreciated by neighborhood birds. When her father tells her the difference between a joke and teasing, Cora spends the next day making amends — and the results feel good.
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About the Author
David Sewell McCann
David Sewell McCann fell in love with spinning stories in first grade – the day a storyteller came to his class and captured his mind and imagination. He has been engaged in storytelling all of his adult life through painting, film-making, teaching and performing. Out of his experience as a Waldorf elementary class teacher and parent, he has developed a four step method of intuitive storytelling, which he now shares through workshops and through this website.
