Kelso's Wheel

Conflict and disagreement is normal and often happens when children are together. Our goal is to teach our students several positive ways to deal with these difficult situations. Kelso’s Choice is a conflict management skills program that will be taught to our students this year.

The program is based on the premise that every child is capable of becoming a peacemaker and of solving conflicts peacefully. Kelso the frog teaches students how to solve “small” problems on their own. “Small” problems include conflicts that cause “small” feelings of annoyance, embarrassment, boredom, etc. “BIG problems” always need to be taken to an adult. These are situations that are scary, dangerous, illegal, etc.

Students will learn that if they have a small problem they need to try 2 of Kelso’s choices. Below is Kelso’s wheel illustrating their choices. If they have a big problem they need to go and tell an adult they trust. I will be introducing these skills to our K – 2 students in their classes during my scheduled times. For the grade 3 and 4 students I will do a workshop on the choice wheel.

In addition, the Friendly Helpers will be trained in the choices and how to help their peers solve their conflicts peacefully. By using Kelso’s choices, we believe that our students will develop effective problem-solving skills that they can use again and again. It will assist them in dealing with conflicts in a positive manner and teach them that they do have choices.

We encourage you to become familiar with this program and use it in your home. By working together, we can develop a positive healthy life skill for our children to use at home and school.