About Flexible Thinking
If you are unsure about a situation, what can you do?
Ask an adult or a friend.
Kevin wanted to continue to play video games at home, but his parents ask him to clean his room. Kevin pauses or saves his game so he can clean his room.
Flexible. Kevin realized that he could go back and play his game later.
You loan your friend $5 to buy something at the school store. Your friend said they would pay you back, but don't give you the five dollars back after a week. What could you do?
You could ask your friend to bring you the $5, maybe they forgot.
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 homework or chores.
You ask a friend to work with you on a project and they say no. Why might they say no?
The last time they worked with you, it didn't go well because you both were distracted.
They already said they were going to work with someone else.
Etc.
Why is it important to think of different points of views?
1. Everyone thinks differently.
2. Just because one person thinks something, it doesn't make it true.
3. Our point of view is not the only 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 thinks about why her friend might be upset and then goes to talk to her.
You are talking with a friend when they suddenly get up and walk away. You feel upset that they walked away. What can you do?
Tell your friend how you feel.
You notice that someone has been in your room and moved your toys.
Someone in class keeps blurting out the answers without raising their hand. How could that make other students feel?
They are excited about what they are learning.
They just forget to raise their hand.
They think they are being funny.
How can two people think differently about the same situation?
We all think differently and have different experiences!
Greg's teacher wants to talk to him after class. Grey feels worried but can't think of why his teacher wants to talk to him.
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 has passed away.
It is your birthday and your dad asks you to go wait in your room for ten minutes. What could that mean?
They are getting your present ready.
People are hiding to surprise you.
Your teacher assigns your class extra homework over the weekend. Why would your teacher do that?
Your teacher wants you to have extra practice before a test.
The teacher saw that your class is struggling to understand the lesson.
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.
Stuck. She is mad right away without thinking about WHY her friend isn't answering her.
You ask a friend to borrow a pencil and they say no. Why do you think they would say no?
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. What could that mean?
Maybe they are sharing a positive email, describing how you did something well.
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.
Kyle is worried about the group activity because he knows no one will want to work with him.
Stuck Thinking. He is assuming no one will want to work with him.
Your friend is whispering something to someone else. When you get closer, they stop. Why might this have happened?
They just happened to be finished talking.
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.
Maybe 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.