Healthy development and well-being of children depends largely on their relationships with parents, teachers and friends. It is believed that poor relations between parents and parents and teachers, as well as not having a lot... [ view full abstract ]
Healthy development and well-being of children depends largely on their relationships with parents, teachers and friends. It is believed that poor relations between parents and parents and teachers, as well as not having a lot of friends, are risk factors for involvement of children in peer violence, which is seen as a relational problem. Violent behavior or repeated and intentional infliction of pain or harm to another child who cannot defend himself is also widespread among children of young school age. Boys are more prone to direct forms of physical and verbal violence. Girls are more prone to hidden forms, particularly relational violence that is aimed at manipulation of peers, destruction of close relations and damaging reputation of victims.
The aim of this paper is to, analyze contents and ways of teaching that can play an important role in prevention of peer violence.
With content that is directly relevant to teaching about violence, this paper discusses those of different subjects, which can be used by teachers to gain insight into violent behavior, as well as raising awareness of children about violence and suffering of the victim, the role of passive observers and ways to oppose such phenomena. They can also be used to help children to better understand themselves and their relationships with others.
The paper suggests creative approaches and teaching strategies that not only have the potential to master academic content, but also to develop empathy, social skills, communication, tolerance, understanding and appreciation of the needs of others and improving interpersonal relationships.
The relational approach relies on the content, procedures and processes in the classroom, but also in other school activities that support development of social and emotional skills, and which can play a key role in prevention of peer violence.
Keywords: emotional skills, social skills, peer violence
