Flexible Thinking at Home
If mom tells you to not throw the ball in the living room because you can break something. What is one was you can use flexible thinking in this scenario?
Play outside with the ball instead
Jake sat in the seat you always sit in class. How can you use flexible thinking?
Sit somewhere else
Your best friend did not pick you to be part of a team in the gym. Instead, another person picked you to be in their team. How can you apply flexible thinking in this scenario?
Be open to new friends. Maybe playing in a new team will be fun.
It's ok. Play with new people.
A friend makes a rude comment in class. You repeat the rude comment to be funny. Expected or Unexpected.
Unexpected
How can you show whole body listening in class with eyes, ears, and mouth?
Watch the teacher with your eyes
listen with your ears
mouth shut or quiet mouth
Jen is facing the teacher but thinking about what she is going to do this weekend. Is this whole body listening?
No. She is looking but not listening
Mom told you that she would make hamburgers for dinner, but instead made chicken noodle soup because she had no hamburger buns. How can you apply flexible thinking in this scenario?
Eat the chicken noodle soup.
Or it's also good to try new things once a awhile.
Thao found a book she really wanted to check out at the library. When she got up to the checkout counter, the librarian told her she couldn’t check out a book until she returns her other book. What should Thao do?
Return her books
Your best friend promised to go to Dave and Buster's with you Saturday but canceled on you because he got sick. How can you apply flexible thinking?
It's ok to be upset, but we can be flexible and wait for our friend to feel better and schedule another day to go to Dave and Buster's.
Is screaming in a roller coaster rider expected or unexpected?
expected
Is yelling at your friend across the room while the teacher is teaching expected or unexpected behavior?
Unexpected
Mike makes silly noises to get others to laugh during class. Is he getting positive or negative attention?
Negative
Dad promised you that he would be bowser for Halloween with you, but his costume did not come in time. Now you're the only one that will wear the Bowser costume? How can you apply flexible thinking, and how can you cheer your dad up?
We can try again next year! It's ok.
Andy wanted to but his favorite Takis chips from the school cafeteria, but she got in line there were only Doritos. How can Andy use flexible thinking?
Try Doritos instead
Jimmy did not wait his turn when playing with Olivia. Olivia was taking too long. How could have Jimmy apply flexible thinking?
I know Olivia is taking a long, but I need to be patient and wait.
What is the opposite of Rigid thinking?
Flexible Thinking
Is shouting out in class gaining positive or negative attention?
Bonus: Name one way to get positive attention
Negative
During a game of charades, Piper is rolling around on the ground acting out a worm. Is this positive attention or negative attention?
Positive! Using your whole body to act out things is part of the game.
Jimmy's favorite shirt has a big hole. His mom tells him that he needs to pick a different shirt to wear at school. Jimmy gets upset and tells his mom he will not change shirt. How could Jimmy have applied flexible thinking?
Be open to wearing new clothing items.
Jimmy is taking a math test and gets stuck on a problem and does not know how to answer it. He crumbles up the paper and throws it across the room. Is he using rigid or flexible thinking?
Rigid thinking
Your best friend forgot your birthday present at home and showed up to your birthday party without a gift. He tells you he will give it to you the next day. How can you apply flexible thinking?
It's ok. No worries. Sometimes we forget things. The important thing is that your best friend is at your party.
Unexpected. Could make them feel uncomfortable, unsafe or annoyed.
Fill in the blank:
____ and _____ need to be part of the group.
body and brain
Mary tells Sally that she doesn't want to be friends anymore. Is this is small, medium or bog problem? Why?
Medium. This isn't something that can be solved right away and might need time or adult help to solve.
Jimmy's mom told him that they were going to eat at his favorite restaurant, but now you are eating at home instead. How can Jimmy apply flexible thinking?
It's okay. You can eat out another day.
There is a big fire in the cafeteria, and Jimmy's teacher is telling the class to walk in a single-file line outside, but Jimmy gets really scared and starts running and screaming. The teacher is trying to calm him down, but Jimmy screams lounder. How should Jimmy have reacted?
Listened to his teacher.
be flexible and follow directions
Jimmy really wants to play Connect Four with his best friend Bob, but Bob wants to play a new game with Jimmy. Jimmy gets upset and storms off. How could Jimmy have reacted better?
Bonus if you are able to find a solution where both Jimmy and Bob are happy.
Jimmy could have been flexible and tried a new game with his friend.
Bonus: Jimmy could tell bob we can play your new game first and then we can play connect 4.
Jimmy is really shy. Instead of saying hi he gives a head nod to a classmate in the hall. Is he getting positive or negative attention?
Positive.
Are changes in your schedule/routine expected, unexpected, or both? Why?
Both
Name one thing you can do to keep a conversation going?
Add a thought, make a connected comment, or ask a related question