Scenario: You’re playing a board game with friends. Your friend changes one of the rules because they misunderstood. You really want to play your way. What would a stuck thinker do/say?
Stuck Thinking: “That’s not fair! We have to do it my way!”
Scenario: You’re working in a group and someone gives a different answer than yours.
You say: “That’s wrong! My answer is right!”
Stuck
What is flexible thinking?
Flexible thinking means being able to change your thoughts, plans, or actions when something doesn’t go your way. It’s about staying calm, open-minded, and problem-solving when things are different than expected.
Clue: The teacher changes the math game to a writing activity. What could you say or do?
👉 Answer: “That’s okay, I’ll do my best!”
💡 Rationale: Positive, flexible response to change.
Clue: Stuck thought: “This is the worst day ever!”
👉 Answer: Flexible thought: “It’s a hard moment, but things can get better.”
Scenario: Your partner wants to make a poster with lots of pictures, but you want to write all the words first. What would a flexible thinker do/say?
Flexible Thinking: “We can both share ideas and make a plan together.”
What could you say or do? → “Let’s make a list and combine both of our ideas.”
Scenario: A substitute teacher comes instead of your regular teacher.
“It’s different, but I can still do my best with the substitute.”
Flexible thinking
What is stuck thinking?
Stuck thinking means having a hard time changing your thoughts, plans, or actions when something unexpected happens. It’s when you want things to go a certain way and have trouble being flexible.
Clue: You planned to go outside, but it starts to rain.
👉 Answer: “Let’s find an indoor game!”
💡 Rationale: Adjusting plans = flexibility.
Clue: Stuck thought: “I can’t do this—it’s too hard.”
👉 Answer: Flexible thought: “I’ll keep trying or ask for help.”
Scenario: Your teacher says recess will be after math today instead of before. What would a stuck thinker do?
Stuck Thinking: “That’s not how it’s supposed to be!”
You say, “That’s not fair! We always play my game first!”
👉 Answer: What is stuck thinking?
💡 Rationale: The person is focused only on their own way.
Provide five places flexible thinking is required to be used
Anywhere! Home, school, park, grocery store, shopping mall, outing with friends, vacation, etc.
Clue: Your class gets a surprise fire drill during your art project.
👉 Answer: “I can finish my art later.”
💡 Rationale: Staying calm during unexpected change.
Clue: Stuck thought: “I’m not playing if I can’t win.”
👉 Answer: Flexible thought: “It’s fun just to play with my friends.”
Scenario: You want to go first, but your friend asks to go first instead. What would both a flexible and stuck thinker do/say?
Stuck Thinking: “No, I always go first!”
Flexible Thinking: “I can let my friend go first this time.”
What could you say or do? → “Sure, you can go first today—I’ll go first next time.”
Clue: You say, “We can try your idea first, then mine.”
👉 Answer: What is flexible thinking?
💡 Rationale: The person is open to trying different ideas.
Give an example of a time you used stuck thinking at home.
answer may vary
Clue: You didn’t get the classroom job you wanted.
👉 Answer: “I’ll try again next time or help in another way.”
💡 Rationale: Accepting disappointment.
Clue: Stuck thought: “The teacher changed the plan—it’s ruined!”
👉 Answer: Flexible thought: “It’s different, but it can still be fun.”
Scenario: The cafeteria ran out of your favorite food, and you have to pick something else. What would stuck verus flexible thinker do/say?
Stuck Thinking: “Now lunch is ruined!”
Flexible Thinking: “That’s disappointing, but I can try something new.”
What could you say or do? → “I’ll try the other option today.”
Clue: You say, “I can handle this even if it’s different than I expected.”
👉 Answer: What is flexible thinking?
💡 Rationale: Being calm and adaptable.
give an example of a time you used flexible thinking at home
answer will vary
Clue: Your group votes on an idea you don’t like.
👉 Answer: “That’s okay, I’ll go with the group’s plan.”
💡 Rationale: Respecting group decisions.
Clue: Stuck thought: “My way is the only right way.”
👉 Answer: Flexible thought: “There’s more than one way to do things.”