Ahimsa Practice for Children

Tina Margason

28

Enlightenment Journal | Winter 2011-2012

Conflicts arise every day

 in 

life, even for children. How can we 

teach our children to approach conflict 

in a way that supports their spiritual 

growth and invites their highest Self to 

emerge?  

When conflict arises, most chil-

dren turn toward an adult for help, a 

wise strategy in an emergency situa-

tion. However, much of the conflict 

experienced by children is not an 

emergency and we can empower them 

to confidently solve disputes in a way 

that follows the spiritual principle of 

Ahimsa, or nonviolence. How can we 

do this?

I have used the following method 

successfully in school settings and at 

home to practice resolving conflicts 

that will inevitably occur in life.
Read a story together

 

Begin by selecting a story that you 

are already familiar with and that 

contains a level of conflict between two 

of its characters. Many children’s books 

will work, but I will illustrate using the 

classic fable, The Red Hen. When you 

get to the conflict in the plot, pause, in 

order to initiate a simple conversation 

about the conflict.
State the problem

Help the child describe the conflict 

in the story. You might let the child 

“play” one character while you act out 

another.

LIGHTING THE PATH FOR CHILDREN