Do you often feel like a referee? Constantly running in to stop, fix and make the final call during conflicts between your children? How nice would it be if your kids were able to learn to problem solve and find appropriate solutions themselves to the daily issues of, “That’s mine!”, “No it’s my turn now”, “They didn’t share!” etc.
Problem Solving is a complex skill that will take your child time to learn to utilize proficiently, but there are tools you can use now to start teaching them ways to start problem solving on their own.
In our CVESD classrooms we use a visual tool called the “Solution Kit” that your child is taught to use and reference when there is a conflict or disagreement between students. We have created a similar Solution Kit for Home that you as a parent can utilize with your children (linked below).
When first introducing the tool, you would show your children the visual options or “solutions” to problems they may encounter with siblings or peers. You would then talk and explain to your child what each solution is and how they can use it with others when there is a disagreement or problem. Using role play is a great way to practice using the Solution Kit and your child’s problem solving skills. Then the next time they go to play, you could remind them of the Solution Kit and have it nearby for them to reference and try and practice using with coaching from you as the adult.
The goal will be that over time you will need to “referee” less and less as your child becomes more proficient with their problem solving skills.
Check out the scripted story below explaining to your child how to problem solve and find solutions on their own using the Solution Kit as well as the Home Solution Kit you can print and put on a key ring or have saved to a device:
Scripted Story: Having fun Together (How to use the Solution Kit)-Bilingual
At Home Solution Kit Visuals-Bilingual
