Solving Problems

Peeples Elementary School
153 Panther Path
Fayetteville, Georgia 30215
770.486.2734

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Love & Logicisms Archives

Guiding Children to Solve Their Own Problems

STEP ONE: EMPATHY

		"How sad."

		"I bet that hurts."

STEP TWO: SEND THE "POWER MESSAGE:"

		"What do you think you're going to do?"

STEP THREE: OFFER CHOICES

		"Would you like to hear what other kids have tried?"

		At this point, offer a variety of choices that range from bad to good. It's usually best to start out with the poor choices.

		Each time a choice is offered, go on to Step Four, forcing the youngster to state the consequence in his/her own words. This means that you will be going back and forth between Love and Logix Steps Three and Four.

STEP FOUR: HAVE THE CHILD STATE THE CONSEQUENCES

		"And how will that work?"

STEP FIVE: GIVE PERMISSION FOR THE CHILD TO EITHER SOLVE THE PROBLEM OR NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM

		"Good luck. I hope it works out"

		Have no fear. If the child is fortunate enough to make a poor choice, he/she may have a double learning lesson.

© Jim Fay, Cline/Fay Institute, 2207 Jackson Street, Golden, CO 80401. Taken from: Fay, Jim & Foster W. Cline, M.D. The Pearls of Love and Logic for Parents and Teachers. Golden, CO: Love and Logic Press, 2000.