Flexible Thinking
If you are unsure about a situation, what can you do?
Talk to an adult or another friend.
Ask the person directly and maybe they can tell you what is going on.
Kevin wanted to continue to play video games at home, but his parents ask him to do something else. Kevin pauses or saves his game so he can find out what his parents want him to do.
Flexible. Kevin realized that he could go back and play his game later. He might just have to do one quick thing for school and can take another break after doing some work.
You loan your friend five dollars to get something at the school store but they don't give you the five dollars back the next day.
He forgot to give it to you the next day.
He didn't know that you wanted the five dollars back. He thought you were just being nice.
Your parent asks you to stop playing video games and do your homework.
Compromise! You can ask them if you stop and get your homework done first then you can earn playing video games after.
You ask a friend to work with you on a project and they say no.
The last time they worked with you it didn't go well.
They want to work alone this time.
They want to work with someone else for a change.
Why is it important to think of different perspectives?
Everyone thinks differently. Just because one person thinks something, it doesn't make it true. Our perspective is not the only perspective. To have positive relationships, we have to consider everyone's point of view.
Molly notices her friend is upset after a math test. She wonders if the math test was hard for her or if she's having a bad day. She goes over to talk to her.
Flexible. She considers why her friend might be upset and then goes to talk to her directly.
You are talking with a friend when they suddenly get up and walk away.
They remembered they were supposed to do something and needed to leave.
Someone called them away.
They thought the conversation was done.
They wanted to talk to someone else.
You notice that someone knocked over your 3D print and it broke. How can you think flexible? What can you do to solve this problem?
Flexible thought- It was likely an accident.
Problem solve- look for glue, ask teacher for help, ask to print a new one.
Someone in class keeps blurting out the answers without raising their hand.
They are really excited about what they are learning.
They just forget to raise their hand.
They are trying to make the teacher mad.
They think they are being funny.
How can two people think differently about the same situation?
We have different upbringings and experiences, so we see the world differently. We believe in different values sometimes. That is what makes us all different.
Greg's teacher wants to talk to him after class. He stays so he can find out why, since he isn't sure.
Flexible. He didn't rush to judgement about why his teacher wants to talk to him.
You are talking with your friend about your dog and they start crying. Why might this happen?
Her dog is sick or passed away.
She wants a dog but doesn't have one.
She is upset about something else.
You were trying to be funny but ended up really bugging someone.
Flexible thought- maybe they are having a hard time, maybe it is not the time and place for joking.
What can you do- Apologize, Give them space or ask if everything is okay.
Your classmate says "6/7" even though the teacher banned it.
Maybe they forgot the teacher banned it.
Maybe they were trying to joke with their friend and not purposely trying to upset you.
How can flexible thinking skills help you?
Flexible thinking skills help you deal with problems. Not everyone thinks the same way.
Laura gets mad at her friend when she does not answer her question right away.
She is mad right away without thinking WHY her friend isn't answering her.
You ask a friend to borrow a pencil and they say no.
They might need it for the moment.
They may only have one pencil.
They may be worried you will lose it.
You got angry at a friend and called them a really mean name. Now they're upset.
Be flexible and apologize
Your teacher asks to talk to you after class. Why might they have done that?
The teacher just wants to ask you something privately.
The teacher wants your help with something.
What does it mean to be a flexible thinker?
A flexible thinker is someone who can see different sides of a situation. They can think in many different ways.
Sam is worried about the partner activity because he knows no one will want to work with him.
Rigid Thinking. He is assuming no onw will want to work with him before the situation happens.
Your friend is whispering something to someone else. When you get close they stop. Why might this have happened?
They just happened to be finished talking.
They are talking about you.
They are talking about a secret that is not about you but want to keep it private.
Your teacher paired you with someone you don't like to work with.
Flexible thought- It's just a project we can work together.
What should you do- work with them.
Your classmate sits in the seat you wanted to sit in class.
They didn't know you wanted to sit there.
You can ask them to take turns.