The Tel Aviv All Stars Implement Problem Solving Strategies!

Problems and conflicts are a normal part of life, from young children through adults. We aren't trying to teach children to avoid these conflicts. Instead we seek to teach them strategies to address them.

During the course of the last few weeks we have introduced the children to (4) problem solving strategies. The teachers used puppets to teach the strategies. (Bruce the shark was very helpful...thanks Bruce.)

As part of our morning circle, we usually ask the children if they have used one of the problem solving strategies at home or in school. I was surprised how many of the children were eager to share their experiences, had successfully internalized some of the strategies and were able to skillfully use them to resolve the conflict at hand.

The following are examples of some of the conversations we have had with the children that illustrate how they implemented the strategies:

• Mia- Asked a teacher for help when a few friends on the playground "would not stop being monsters to her." The teacher told her friends, Mia had to talk to them about something and then... Mia took charge of the situation. She put her hand on her hip and said, "Stop I don't want you being a monster to me!" They replied, "Sorry we won't be monsters to you."
• Hadley-"My brother Drew was lying on my belly, and I said, STOP get off of me! Drew got off!"
• Ruby-"My sister was not playing so fair...So I told her to Stop! She listened to my words and changed her play."
• Teddy F- "I was doing my homework and my brother Sam was bothering me. I told Sam to Stop and then he walked away!"