Introduction

As educators, one of our primary goals is to help students develop problem-solving skills and the ability to assess their own situations. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) principles can be applied to teach students how to differentiate between big and small problems, determine if they need assistance, and estimate the time it will take to solve a problem. This blog post will provide an easy no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help educators teach these essential life skills to their students.

No-Prep Activity

Here’s an activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator. This simple role-playing exercise helps students practice problem-solving and self-assessment.

1. Divide the class into pairs.
2. Ask each pair to think of a small problem they might encounter at school or home. Examples include misplacing a textbook, forgetting a lunch, or not having a pencil.
3. Have one student in each pair act as the person with the problem, while the other student plays the role of a friend or classmate.
4. The student with the problem should describe the issue to their partner and explain why they think it’s a small problem that can be solved independently and quickly.
5. The partner should offer suggestions and support, helping the student determine if they need assistance or if they can solve the problem on their own.
6. After a few minutes, have the pairs switch roles and repeat the exercise with a new problem.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions to stimulate further discussions among your students:

• How did it feel to solve a small problem on your own? What about when you needed help from a friend or classmate?
• What are some examples of big problems that would require adult assistance? How can you tell the difference between big and small problems?
• Why is it important to know how to assess and solve problems in our everyday lives?
• How can practicing problem-solving and self-assessment help you become a more independent and confident person?
• Can you think of a time when you successfully solved a problem on your own? How did it make you feel?

Related Skills

Teaching problem-solving strategies and self-assessment is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. Here are some other relevant skills for students to develop:

• Communication: Students should learn how to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns effectively and respectfully.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others is key to building strong relationships and resolving conflicts.
• Resilience: Learning to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to change is an essential skill for personal growth and success.
• Decision-making: Students should be able to weigh the pros and cons of different options and make informed choices.
• Self-awareness: Developing an understanding of one’s own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses is crucial for personal growth and self-improvement.

Next Steps

Ready to explore more Social-Emotional Learning resources and activities? Sign up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech, which includes a variety of tools to help you teach problem-solving strategies, self-assessment, and other essential SEL skills to your students. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to enhance your teaching toolbox and empower your students to succeed in and out of the classroom.