The program ‘Emotional competence and conflict resolution at school’ is suitable for tutors, psychologists, hearing and speech rehabilitators, educators, principals, sports coaches, deputy principals, teachers, speech therapists, choreographers, heads of the ‘Information and Communication technologies’, pedagogical advisors. The program is approved by the Ministry of Education and Science to be used for in-service qualifications of teachers.

The program introduces participants to the concept of emotional competence and its relationship with the sense of well-being of children and young people. Interactive pedagogical approaches are offered, with which children are directed to acquire specific skills related to communication and maintaining friendly relations, which include effective communication, cooperation, dealing with problem situations and conflict situations, as well as effective response in the conditions of social pressure and stress.

Discussion topics are offered that provoke reflection and awareness of the meaning of certain forms of social behavior and their role for the well-being of both the children themselves and the people in their environment.

The topics in the training are:

  • What is emotional and social competence?
  • Resolving conflicts between peers.
  • How do Friendship cards work?
  • Storytelling and emotional learning.

It is demonstrated how through an interactive method – the ‘Friendship’ cards – an emotionally protected environment can be created in which students calmly share their emotions and develop the necessary skills to resolve emerging conflicts in a positive and constructive way as mature people. They are developed by professionals working in various educational fields. They are developed by professionals working in various educational fields. This is an interactive tool created by the Relationships are Forever Foundation – Malta and approved by the Maltese Ministry of Education to be used in helping children cope with difficult situations. They can be applied both in school and in therapy sessions with children and families to achieve emotional health and mental well-being.

The program is intended for all pedagogical and non-pedagogical specialists who work with children of primary and secondary school age and are concerned about their emotional and social development.

Competencies to be acquired: academic, pedagogical, communicative

Teaching methods: presentations, talks, demonstrations, working with educational materials in printed and electronic form, discussions and working in groups are used within the training. The program offers interactive exercises to develop skills for creating and maintaining lasting friendships in children, increasing emotional and social competence and developing conflict resolution skills. The Friendship Cards are used as an educational tool for developing emotional competence and conflict resolution skills in children. The cards help children understand their feelings, show empathy and develop the necessary skills to manage their behavior in different types of conflicts. They are developed by professionals working in various educational fields. This is an interactive tool created by the Relationships are Forever Foundation – Malta and approved by their Ministry of Education to be used in helping children deal with difficult situations. They can be used both in school and in therapy sessions with children and families. The cards offer a useful tool to students, parents, teachers and psychotherapists to discuss and resolve various misunderstandings and conflicts in relationships and ultimately to achieve emotional health and mental well-being.

Materials, technical and informational resources specific to the program:  Participants receive a set of Friendship cards and access to digital and print resources. They also receive developed methodological materials for the development of emotional and social competence in children. These resources help both in the training of the participants and in their further work on the topic in school.

Expected results

– Increased understanding of emotional and social competence and the importance and well-being of children and young people;

– Knowledge and skills for applying pedagogical approaches for the development of emotional and social competence and conflict resolution skills for children of primary and secondary school level;

– Mastering the methodology for working with the “Friendship” cards as a tool for developing students’ emotional and social skills.

Number of hours: 16

Number of credits: 1

Method of completion: project defense

Form of learning: face-to-face or face-to-face in a digital environment

Lecturers: Aneta Kalcheva – Spasova and Dr. Daniela Kolarova

For more information and requests: partners@partnersbg.org