When you've got a problem, talk about it.
This is a treasured rule here at Bream Bay Kindergarten. And children have got so good at using the framework of this rule to work through a variety of issues within our learning environment, it's amazing!
Our problem solving framework includes...
What's the problem?
Brainstorm possible solutions (at least 3)
Brainstorm possible solutions (at least 3)
Choose a solution
(As children get older there are other steps to consider such as 'How did that solution work for me' etc, however for three and four year old children these first three steps are a good start for problem solving.)
You know that positive messages are getting through when you hear a child state...
"We don't do grumpy...we talk about it!" (Olivia).
And the conversation continued...
"We ignore them and walk away when people are being mean and they don't know the rules. New people don't know the rules so we have to help them do things and learn the rules" said Ayla.
"Keep your hands and feet to yourself" said Olivia.
"Cause they'll cry when people hit them. You have to keep your hands and feet to yourself so that no one gets hurt" said Kendall Lee.
"I had a problem and I talked about it. I said stop it I don't like it."
"What are some more solutions?" I asked.
"You can say stop it I don't like it" said Olivia.
"You can walk away" said Nat.
"Play with someone else" said Noah.
"You can talk about it" said Lachlan.
"Find a different friend" said Allani.
"We can play with a kind friend" said Harper.
"What is a kind friend?" I asked.
"By helping people and being nice" said Ayla.
"They help each other, like everything, like on the swings" said Jericho.
"When they say that looks like a good game, can I play too, and they say yes. That would be kind" said Kendall Lee.
"They look small and cute. I know kind people" said Jericho.
"When they play with each other" said Kendall Lee.
"They let us play" said Harper.
"They hold hands" said Kendall Lee.
"They help each other when they need help" said Jericho.
Taking it to a deeper level...
using art to extend understanding
The first part of our problem solving strategy is recognizing that there is a problem.
I wanted to help children recognize when they have a problem by coaching them to pay attention to their feelings. For example, if they are feeling uncomfortable, sad or angry or fearful, this would indicate that there is a problem to solve. Being able to label the bodily sensations involved is an important first step because it provides a clue or trigger that problem solving is needed.
Questions to get children thinking included...
How do you know when you've got a problem?
What does your face look like? What are your eyes doing...your mouth...your eyebrows?
Exploring ideas using CLAY
Clay offers a tactile experience for children to explore ideas in a new and challenging way. Our intention is to offer this activity again so that children are able to further develop the knowledge and skills that allow them to use clay with confidence and ease. Watch this space...our work with clay has only just begun and we're excited to see where our journey takes us!
"A sad person crying" said Olivia.
Problem solving is such an integral part of the work we do everyday with children. If you have any questions or would like to hear more on our problem solving strategies, don't hesitate to ask, we are more than happy to share.
Learning the skills to be a capable and confident problem solver is a skill for life. Through play such as this, our aim is to develop children's awareness of feelings, the perspectives of others and to gain skills to become awesome negotiators who focus on peaceful win win solutions for all involved.
A huge thank you to the children who shared their thoughts and talents with us this week, as usual, it's the children who make coming to 'work' a joy!
Out of the mouths of babes...don't do grumpy, talk about it! Great advice I'd say!
Ka kite ano, kia pai to ra
Tania
Problem solving is such an integral part of the work we do everyday with children. If you have any questions or would like to hear more on our problem solving strategies, don't hesitate to ask, we are more than happy to share.
Learning the skills to be a capable and confident problem solver is a skill for life. Through play such as this, our aim is to develop children's awareness of feelings, the perspectives of others and to gain skills to become awesome negotiators who focus on peaceful win win solutions for all involved.
A huge thank you to the children who shared their thoughts and talents with us this week, as usual, it's the children who make coming to 'work' a joy!
Out of the mouths of babes...don't do grumpy, talk about it! Great advice I'd say!
Ka kite ano, kia pai to ra
Tania
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