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Problem Solving Steps

Being able to solve disagreements and work through problem situations is an important skill. All students at Crest receive direct instruction from their classroom teacher, counselor and myself. In addition students get real world practice when problems occur. Through direct instruction and coaching when a problem occurs students learn specific actions they can take to solve problems they may be having with others in a positive way!

There are four basic action steps we will teach students to use when they are confronted with someone who is doing something they don’t like:

Ignore is often the first step students try. To ignore you need to refuse to notice or pay attention to somebody or something.

Ask to stop is talking to another person is a polite yet firm way. When we ask someone to stop we might use a statement like; “When you (call me names) it makes me feel (sad), please stop. The basic statement stays the same, the child will fill in the action and feeling that applies to their problem situation.

Walk away is a useful strategy to use when students are at recess, at home or anyplace where they can move. When someone is doing something you don’t like you can simply move away from them and do nothing.

Report is a strategy that is used when someone is going to hurt themselves or others or damage property. Reporting is being responsible for being a good citizen.

Some times students will come to a staff member or parent and tell them about a situation because they need assistance using the first 3 steps to solve a problem they are having. All staff will be working with students to assist them in using the strategies above to solve problems in a positive way. We ask that parents reinforce these strategies when children are solving problems at home. They really help to give students specific things to do when they are faced with difficult situations.