Problem-solving

What is it?

Problem-solving thinking and acting is the ability to acknowledge a problem and come up with a plan to. solve it.

How does it show?

• Being able to manage a class discussion after a conflict.

• Sitting in a circle, talking about problem-solving.

​What can we do to stimulate?

• Practise using different learning strategies e.g. creating a mind map, query yourself, remake exercises, highlight keywords…

• Reflection questions (PLAN, DO, CHECK, ACT).

• After a test, estimate the results.

• EF games e.g. Monopoly, Jenga, chess, checkers, battleship…

• Smart games

• Literature: questions for book discussion.

• Specific books e.g. Curious George.

• Miracle question: “What would you do if you…?”

• Flip it

A flip is a tool that helps people thinking move from a negative position to one where they can act upon something. It is a shift from a ”fixed” to a “growth” mindset.

• Instead of..., try...:

I can’t do this ->  What do I have to learn?

I’m the best at this -> I’m getting better at this.

I don’t get this at all -> What do I need to understand this better?

I give up -> Let me try it in another way.

This is too hard for me -> It takes time and effort to learn this.

I made too many mistakes -> By making mistakes, I can learn.

I can’t do better than this -> I’ll keep trying.

I will never be as good as you are -> How did you get this done?

This is good enough -> can I do better?

Plan A is not working -> Luckily the alphabet has 25 other letters. 

What can we do to stimulate?

• Discuss books with your child. What happened in the story? What solution was there? How would you have solved this?

• Playing board games at home.

• Hang 'growth-mindset-reminders' in a visible place and actively use them.

Growth mindset: the belief that your abilities are not set in stone; an openness to improving and growing.

• Instead of..., try... :

I can’t do this ->  What do I have to learn?

I’m the best at this -> I’m getting better at this.

I don’t get this at all -> What do I need to understand this better?

I give up -> Let me try it in another way.

This is too hard for me -> It takes time and effort to learn this.

I made too many mistakes -> By making mistakes, I can learn.

I can’t do better than this -> I’ll keep trying.

I will never be as good as you are -> How did you get this done?

This is good enough -> can I do better?

Plan A is not working -> Luckily the alphabet has 25 other letters.

Example: If there is a conflict at home with a brother or sister, find out together what solutions are.

• STOP-THINK-DO-CHECK