Here's What To Do
1
Tell your child you're going to play "The Solution Game."
2
Describe some problems for your child. Here are some to try, or make up your own!
- You and your friend want to play with the same toy truck.
- You want to move something really heavy.
- You left your favorite stuffed animal at Grandma's house.
3
Ask your child to think of some solutions for each problem. Some examples:
- Take turns.
- Find something else to do.
- Ask an adult for help.
- Pause and pay attention to the problem.
- Find a compromise, something that works for everyone.
- Tell someone how it made you feel.
4
Play the Solution Game with real life situations as they come up.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Put your hands on each other's bellies, then take a deep belly breath. Feel each other's breath going in and out.
E
Engage:
- "We're going to play 'The Solution Game.' I'm going to say a problem, and you are going to think of ideas to solve it."
- "Let's pretend that your sister pulled a book out of your hand and she ripped a page. That made you feel really mad. Can you think of some solutions for this problem?"
E
Encourage:
- Try to let your child think of solutions on their own first. This will help them build the skills to be a master problem-solver!
- "Hmmm… hitting your friend is not a good, safe solution. We never want to hurt other people's bodies. I know it's hard sometimes, but we have to use our words instead."
R
Reflect:
- If a solution doesn't work out quite as well as planned, ask "What could we do next time to solve this problem better?"
Not quite ready?
Give your child a list of potential solutions to a problem and let them choose their favorite.
Ready for more?
Make a "Solution Idea Jar" in your house. Each time your child thinks of a positive solution, add something small like a penny or pom pom. Congratulate them on adding so many solutions to the jar!
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to identify appropriate solutions to social problems.