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Family Child Care | Social & Emotional Development | Lesson 6 | Explore | Required for Credit

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Teaching Problem Solving

What strategies are you using to help children solve problems in your child care setting? After

you read the two examples provided in the table, brainstorm problems that are most likely to

occur during the rest of the activities and routines and identify ways to teach children to solve

these problems.

Activity / Routine Typical Problems Strategies for teaching problem

solving

Arrival Sometimes children get upset when

their friend is not coming that day.

Help children identify feelings and think of

solutions. For example, pick another friend

to play with and write the absent friend a

note.

Free Play Sometimes children get upset when

there is a new game and not

enough pieces for all the children to

play it.

Help children identify their feelings and

think of solutions. For example, encourage

them to pick a different toy, take turns, ask

for help with the problem.

Story/Music Time

Outdoor Time

Lunch

Nap

Afternoon

Snack/Free Play

Other