View, Do and Read

Help children learn to play together peacefully and resolve conflict

By Sandra Andino, WHYY Ready To Learn coordintor

Dr. Feel How many times at home do your children argue over a toy? Or how often you see children happily playing together, and before the game is over, someone is angry, crying and screaming? Sometimes the cause is a simple mistake or confusion, and at other times, there are more complicated issues that involve feelings of frustration or jealousy. As difficult as it may be, in most cases it is the parents' job to sort out what happened and why someone's feelings were hurt.

Children's programming on WHYY TV12 is a wonderful example of fun, educational television that teaches children positive ways to play together and understand their feelings of sadness, anger or surprise. For parents, WHYY's children programs can also serve as useful resources for conflict resolution.

View

On Tuesday, May 4 at 6:30 am, Sesame Street will dedicate segments of the show to helping children understand their feelings of sadness, anger and jealousy, and will also teach them the best ways to resolve conflict.

In a humorous new parody of his hit TV show, Dr. Phil McGraw meets new Muppet Dr. Feel -- known as the "feelingist" guy in show business. When Dr. Feel appears on the set of Dr. Phil , they begin to argue about who's show it really is, but they eventually work out a compromise that makes both doctors happy. Back on Sesame Street, Elmo, Zoe and Rocco learn to play fairly when they can't decide what game to play or who should go first.

The "Taking Turns" Game

Although toys are a lot of fun, they can often be a cause of conflict between children, and children can have difficulty learning to share and take turns. Can your children name a game that they have to take turns to play? When they do, you can ask them questions like:

• What does "taking turns" mean?

• Why do we sometimes have to take turns?

• How can we decide when someone else gets a turn?

Some riding toys, such as a tricycle, only accommodate one child at a time. You can help a child learn to practice taking turns and make potential conflict like this a "teachable moment" by helping a child think about:

• The order in which each child has a turn.

• How to decide when each one person's turn is over.

• What activities he or she can do while waiting for a turn, including looking through a picture book; playing with modeling dough, building with blocks; and singing a song.

Read

Here Comes Trouble by Larry Dane Brimmer; illustrated by Pablo Torrecilla

This "Rookie Reader" title series is a wonderful story of how a little girl learns to share and play with the super active boy named Wayne. The hilarious illustrations add spunk to the engaging story of how a young child figures out to solve problems on her own. Recommended for children aged 4 to 7

The Best Way to Play by Bill Cosby; illustrated by Varnette P. Honeywood

America's favorite storyteller, Bill Cosby, brings the experiences and issues that children struggle with to this exciting and easy-to-read series. In this book, Little Bill and his friends face their fears and learn in the process. Recommended for children aged 6 to 10