NVC (Non-Violent Communication)

Home ◼︎ Children ◼︎ Study Guides ◼︎ Book Reflections ◼︎ Learning Stories ◼︎ Topics ◼︎ Essays

‣

These pages hold topics, threads, people or concepts that weave through many of the resources on this site. I developed the topics pages mostly for trainings as a resource. I hope they can be useful in your explorations. Many of these topics have other meanings in different settings or traditions. I offer these interpretations based on my experience only.

NVC (Non-Violent Communication)

A relational approach to communication that emphasizes empathy, honesty, and connection—helping people speak and listen in ways that honor everyone’s needs.

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) offers a practical framework for how we relate to others, especially in moments of tension or conflict. Developed by psychologist Marshall Rosenberg, NVC is built on the idea that all human beings share the same basic needs—and that many conflicts arise not from those needs themselves, but from the strategies we use to meet them.

The NVC process involves four core components: observations (what happened, without judgment), feelings (our emotional response), needs (the universal human needs behind the feelings), and requests (clear, doable actions that might meet those needs). At the heart of it all is empathy—listening without trying to fix, correct, or advise—and the belief that compassionate connection is always possible.

In early childhood settings and family life, NVC is more than a communication tool; it’s a way of being. It encourages adults to slow down, notice what’s alive in a child or in themselves, and speak from a place of care rather than control. It helps children learn emotional literacy, mutual respect, and how to advocate for their needs without harming others.

Why It Matters

NVC shifts the focus from blame and compliance to understanding and collaboration. It teaches children (and adults) how to name their feelings, recognize needs, and stay connected—even during hard moments. For educators and families, it offers a path toward fewer power struggles and more meaningful, respectful relationships grounded in trust.

References & Further Reading

Rosenberg, M. B. Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life
Center for Nonviolent Communication: cnvc.org
Hart, S., & Hodson, V. K. The Compassionate Classroom: Relationship-Based Teaching and Learning
Inbal Kashtan, Parenting from Your Heart
Bay NVC: baynvc.org – Trainings, articles, and community support
Article: How to Use Nonviolent Communication with Children

Glossary

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) – A framework for speaking and listening based on empathy, emotional honesty, and the recognition of universal human needs.

Empathy – The practice of listening with full presence and care, without judgment or the urge to fix.

Needs – Universal human essentials such as belonging, autonomy, safety, rest, and connection—seen as the root of all feelings and behaviors in NVC.

Feelings – Emotions that arise in response to whether our needs are being met or unmet; central to understanding and expressing oneself in NVC.

Requests – Clear, specific, and actionable steps we ask of others (or ourselves) to help meet our needs, always made without demand.

Ask ChatGPT

NVC (Non-Violent Communication)

Home ◼︎ Children ◼︎ Study Guides ◼︎ Book Reflections ◼︎ Learning Stories ◼︎ Topics ◼︎ Essays