International Day of Non-Violence - post

United Nations Observances - The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

What is the International Day of Non-Violence and why does it matter for child care?

The International Day of Non-Violence is both a commemorative date and a practical prompt for early childhood programs to reflect on daily practices that promote peaceful conflict resolution, empathy, and respectful communication. For child care professionals, the day is an opportunity to review guidance strategies, classroom climates, and family partnerships so children learn how to manage feelings and disagreements safely and constructively. Useful training that aligns with these goals includes Viewing Guidance in a Positive Light Buy Now $24.00 (strategies for positive discipline) and Brighter Futures: Social Emotional Development Buy Now $16.00, which addresses classroom practices to foster empathy, self-regulation, and cooperation.

This article answers practical questions providers ask on and around October 2: how to teach non-violence to young children, what activities and routines support peaceful classrooms, how to partner with families, and where to seek professional learning to strengthen these practices.

According to General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007, which established the commemoration, the International Day is an occasion to "disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness". The resolution reaffirms "the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence" and the desire "to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence".  Click for Full Article ...

"Non-violence is the weapon of the strong." -- Mahatma Gandhi

The “Non-Violence” (or “Knotted Gun”) sculpture by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd on display at the UN Visitors’ Plaza. The Knotted Gun is the symbol of the Non-Violence Project Foundation. PHOTO: UN Photo/Fan Xiao

How can child care providers teach non-violence and conflict resolution to young children?

Teach non-violence through short, concrete lessons and repeated practice embedded in routines. For toddlers and preschoolers, teachers should use developmentally appropriate language (simple labels for feelings, brief scripts for problem solving, and role-play) and scaffold children toward peaceful solutions. Example practices include:

1. Modeling calm responses: narrate your own regulation ("I feel frustrated; I will take three deep breaths") so children see strategies in action.
2. Teaching conflict scripts: provide brief, repeatable steps to follow when disagreements arise (e.g., "Stop, use kind hands, use your words, ask a teacher for help").
3. Using restorative questions: ask what happened, who was affected, and what can make things right, adjusting phrasing for age.

These approaches align with positive guidance and social-emotional development theory; for deeper training, consider Staying Positive: Guidance for Preschoolers Buy Now $24.00 and the previously mentioned Brighter Futures course.

What classroom activities promote empathy, cooperation, and restorative practice?

Design short daily activities that build perspective-taking and cooperative problem-solving. Practical examples include empathy story times, paired cooperative tasks, and guided conflict role-plays. Use materials and prompts that invite discussion of feelings (pictures, puppets, and social stories). When behaviors escalate, follow through with restorative conversations that let each child speak and be heard; this both repairs relationships and teaches accountability.

Activity ideas and cross-disciplinary practices: use sign and gestures to support communication (see Teaching Sign Language Through Songs, Games, and Play), and adapt Montessori-inspired grace-and-courtesy exercises for turn-taking and respect (Grace and Courtesy Activities for Montessori Classrooms).

How can providers engage families to reinforce non-violent routines at home?

Partner with families through brief, practical communication: share simple conflict-resolution scripts, invite families to a short demonstration, and provide one-page handouts with phrases and routines to practice at home. Recognize family background shapes children's responses to conflict; for context and strategies see How Family Background Influences Babies’ and Children’s Development and use culturally responsive approaches discussed in Understanding Culture’s Role in Whole-Child Development. When a child shows repeated aggression, collaborate with families to create a consistent plan and to identify supports.

Where can I find practical coaching and curriculum supports at ChildCareEd?

ChildCareEd offers courses and resources you can apply immediately. In addition to the courses linked above, consider Connections That Count: Building Relationships in Child Care Buy Now $55.00 for relationship-based strategies and Viewing Guidance in a Positive Light Buy Now $24.00 to design a classroom management plan that emphasizes dignity and respect. For strategies on coaching children through frustration and building self-regulation use the in-house article How can providers coach children through frustration, mistakes, and challenges using developmentally appropriate language?.

What does research and licensing say about preventing violence in early childhood settings?

The United Nations observance highlights the importance of non-violence education. Program policies should also align with local licensing and child-protection rules; when planning training or policy changes, consult your state regulations and mandated reporting requirements. (Note: specific state regulations should be checked by program administrators; this article links to ChildCareEd courses that support practice but does not replace regulatory guidance.)

How can programs observe the International Day of Non-Violence with children?

Use October 2 as a focused, developmentally appropriate moment to reinforce everyday practices rather than as a one-off checklist. Plan a short sequence your program can repeat each year so the observance supports long-term learning: a brief circle time introducing the idea of non-violence in child-friendly language (three simple sentences), a cooperative project that requires turn-taking, and a restorative-sharing routine where children name feelings and one thing that helped them feel safe.

Keep activities short and routine-centered: begin with a 5–8 minute story or puppet demonstration that models calm problem solving, follow with a paired cooperative task (building, gardening, or a simple group art piece) that requires negotiation, and close with a short reflection where each child says one word about how they felt. These repeated, scaffolded experiences make the concept tangible for toddlers and preschoolers and emphasize practice over preaching.

For programs using Montessori or mixed-method approaches, adapt grace-and-courtesy sequences to the day's theme and invite children to practice respectful gestures and language in authentic contexts; see Montessori Education: A Comprehensive Overview for program-level adaptations and philosophy that align with this approach. Share a one-page family sheet with the same simple language and a sample script (e.g., “Stop. Use kind hands. Use your words.”) so families can reinforce the routines at home.

These activities tie directly to classroom routines and professional learning: brief, repeatable observances reduce escalation, model restorative practice, and create a visible, teachable culture of respect that staff and families can sustain year-round.

Summary: How can I put non-violence into practice in my program?

Begin with small, consistent steps: teach brief conflict scripts, model calm regulation, embed empathy activities in daily routines, and partner with families for consistency. Use available professional learning (see linked ChildCareEd courses) and adapt practices to your community's cultural context. These routines, repeated and modeled, reduce aggressive incidents and build a classroom culture of respect.

Focus areas: #nonviolence #peace #empathy #guidance #SEL

*Archived from 's Constant Contact Newsletters [9.30.2022]