Encountering problems is part of daily life. Learning how to tackle problems as they arise and coming up with solutions is an important social skill set to impart to your students.
When we encounter problems, they can make us feel stuck, upset, or confused. Being able to work through the issue and problem-solve solutions can help your students build self-confidence, create and maintain strong relationships with peers, and be more resilient in the face of challenges.
How to teach problem solving:
Problems present themselves in many ways, both big and small. Sometimes it’s a shoelace that won’t stay tied, while other times it’s a classmate that won’t stop teasing another student.
Teaching your student or child how to identify the problem and work toward a solution can be simplified to four steps, as outlined in our handy social skills lesson module.
- Identify the problem
- Brainstorm possible solutions – there may be more than one way to solve a problem!
- Pick one to try – ask yourself: will this solution make things better? Is it safe? Is it fair?
- Try your solution. What happened? Did it work? How did it make you feel? If it didn’t work, try another solution and keep going until it’s resolved.
Remember: you can ask a trusted adult, like a teacher or parent, for help if you’re feeling stuck or if the problem is too big for you to solve on your own!
The special education resources on this page were authored by Watson Institute’s special education consultant, Andee Morris, M.Ed.
PowerPoint Presentations:
I Can Solve Problems Facilitator’s Guide
I Can Solve Problems PowerPoint Presentation
Resource Materials:
I Can Solve Problems Teacher Note
I Can Solve Problems Parent Note
I Can Solve Problems Mini Schedule
I Can Solve Problems Magnet Cards
I Can Solve Problems Activity 1
I Can Solve Problems Activity 2
If you have questions or concerns about the Watson Institute’s use of this information, please contact us.