DEALING WITH VIOLENCE AMONG CHILDREN TO DO NOT TO DO Create a safe and welcoming environment, demonstrating openness and willingness to listen. Use clear, simple, and non-judgmental language, appropriate for the age and maturity of the children. Show empathy and respect for children's emotions, helping them to recognise and manage their feelings. Guarantee confidentiality and discretion to foster a climate of mutual trust. Encourage active listening: nod, rephrase what is said to show understanding, avoid interruptions. Learn about the relational dynamics and the context in which the violence occurs to facilitate understanding and prevent further episodes. Explain to children that adults can support them. If necessary, provide adults with information on the services available for support (psychological or educational assistance.) Do not minimise violent incidents or consider them normal among children. Do not make judgments or labels about the children involved (for example, "you are bad" or "you are aggressive"). Do not give solutions or advice without understanding the context and individual needs of each child. Do not use a patronising or punitive tone. Do not interrupt or rush the conversation. Do not ask intrusive or persistent questions about the details of the incident. Do not assume that children will immediately understand the rules without adequate explanation. Do not ignore the problem hoping it will resolve itself. Role-play PROBLEM Exercise 1: A little girl wants a new toy she saw on TV and starts screaming and kicking her mother Exercise 2: Two children argue over a toy and the conflict degenerates into pushing and screaming Create a safe and welcoming environment Use active listening and simple language Promote inclusion and mutual understanding AIMS Location: living room of the house Characters: mother and daughter Case-study: Alessia asks her mother to buy her a toy she saw on TV, but the mother explains they can't afford it. The little girl reacts with anger, crying, screaming, and hitting her mother. Without punishing her, the mother teaches her that violence is not the solution, suggesting a breathing exercise to calm down. She reassures her, explaining that anger is an understandable emotion, but it must be managed without causing harm. The little girl calms down, apologises and the mother strengthens their emotional bond, assuring her that she will always be by her side to support her in difficult times. EXERCISE 1 Location: playground in a garden Characters: Luca and Marco (8-year-old children) and entertainer Case-study: on a summer morning at the playground, during an activity at the "Estate Ragazzi" summer camp, Luca and Marco argue over a red toy car. At first they have fun, but the argument turns into pushing and yelling. The camp counsellor intervenes and stops the conflict, approaches them and, in a reassuring tone, asks them to take a deep breath and explain what happened, listening to both versions. Then he guides them to find a shared solution, such as taking turns to play with the toy car. Finally, he reinforces positive behaviour, teaching children to manage conflicts in the future through dialogue. EXERCISE 2 8.1 HANDS ON 351