Conflict has an effect on the brain that is felt in our bodies, emotions and behaviours, but is not always recognised. Frequent conflict in the home or in an educational setting can damage relationships and become a barrier to learning. Improving practitioners’ understanding, and the understanding of learners and their families, of emotional needs and how to improve relationships, could promote engagement in learning, improve educational outcomes, and may ultimately transform lives.

The Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution (SCCR), funded by Scottish Government, have developed free digital resources and professional learning to support practitioners to help children and young people understand difficult emotions, regulate mood, and improve their relationships with others. The resources focus on learning as a means of early intervention. The resources include activities for classes, groups, or for one-to-one discussion.

Professional learning and resources

SCCR Teachers Pack (downloadable facilitators pack)

SCCR Learning resources (downloadable lesson plans, presentations and resources)

This digital resource tells the story of how our brains interpret the world around us and how this translates in our bodies, emotions and behaviours. It has been designed to be used by professionals working with secondary aged young people interested in learning more about the science of conflict and boosting their wellbeing. The resources however could be adapted and to be used with primary children.

This resource is divided into four sections:

• My Brain: Teaches young people the science behind key regions in their brains and how these relate to different emotional states, particularly in the context of conflict. Young people will gain greater knowledge about teenage brain development and how this might affect their behaviour and emotions.
• My Emotions: Young people learn how to name and identify emotions, and that emotions are messages from their brain which might drive behaviour. We also look at the importance of emotions, the difference between primary and secondary emotions, and what happens when we are unable to regulate our emotions.
• My Wellbeing: Here, young people are introduced to a wide range of practical coping skill designed to help them process, express, and respond to emotions. Throughout, there is a focus on identifying strategies that work for them as individuals. Young people are also introduced to methods they can use to challenge negative thoughts.
• Our Relationships: Explores conflict within relationships, differentiating between constructive and destructive conflict. Young people learn skills and strategies to help improve listening and communicating their needs during conflict with a focus on promoting healthy relationships.

Some comments from learners and school staff about the resources:

“I think it is something everyone can benefit from.”
Pupil, Inveralmond High School

“Really enjoyed this lesson on conflict. Fun activities and very informative!”
Teacher, Inveralmond High School

‘It helped me understand my emotions.’
Pupil, St John’s High School, Dundee

‘This is our absolute dream kind of resource, [one] that is all there visually.’
Teacher, St Joh’s High School, Dundee

“I enjoyed learning how to cope with emotions”
Pupil, Crieff High School

“There’s loads of scope, I found it really really enjoyable. It was a bit of a breath of fresh air cause it’s just something different and new and I think that’s where the engagement is.”
Teacher, Crieff High School

Further learning and teaching resources on Conflict and the Brain

See the SCCR Resource Hub and Learning Zone for Young People for digital and printable learning and teaching resources linked to the Experiences and Outcomes within Responsibility of All - see SCCR Resource booklet (PDF). The resources include:

• The Cranial Cocktail
• Monkey vs Lizard
• Keep the Heid
• The Three Brains

The following film describes these resources and how they can be used in educational settings:

FILM: Understanding conflict and emotional needs to transform relationships and lives (youtube.com)

Schools can also access free facilitated Professional Learning available through the SCCR website.

Improvement questions

• How do I understand relationships and emotions and their impact on behaviour and learning?
• How am I helping learners understand relationships, emotions and behaviour and their impact on wellbeing and learning?
• What support and information can I signpost learners and their families to?