About Flexible Thinking
If you are unsure about a situation, what can you do?
a. Talk to an adult or another friend.
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. Why may this have happenend?
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. Why might they ask you to do this?
They want you to do something outside.
They want your help with something.
It is time to do school work.
You ask a friend to work with you on a project and they say no. Why may they have said 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?
b. 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. Why might this have happened?
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 has been in your room. Why may this have happened?
Your parents had to put your clothes away.
They were cleaning.
Someone in class keeps blurting out the answers without raising their hand. Why may they be doing this?
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.
Why can two people think differently about the same situation?
a. 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.
It is your birthday and your dad asks you to go wait in your room for ten minutes. Why might he do this?
They are getting your present ready.
People are hiding to surprise you.
Your teacher assigns you extra homework over the weekend. Why could they have done this?
The teacher wants you to have extra practice before a test.
The teacher saw that you don't fully understand the lesson.
How can flexible thinking skills help you?
b. Flexible thinking skills help you deal with problems.
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. Why might this happen?
They might need it for the moment.
They may only have one pencil.
They may be worried you will lose it.
Your parents tell you that they got an email from the teacher today. Why may this have happened?
They are sharing a positive email, describing how you did something well/expected.
They may be sharing a difficult moment you had in class today, but they are also thinking of positive solutions to help you.
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?
b. 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.
You ask to stay home sick today and your parents say no, that they want you to try to go to school. Why?
They know you aren't feeling sick, otherwise you could stay home.
They know you might be nervous about something at school (test, problem with friends, etc.) and want to encourage you to be brave. You might feel like your stomach is in knots.
The teacher comes and stands near your desk during a test. Why might she be doing that?
She's checking if you are doing alright.
She is just walking randomly around the room.