One-hour Training1 Introducing I Can Problem Solve

2 Goal of ICPS To teach children thinking skills that can be used to help resolve or prevent “people” problems.

One-hour Training3 Focus of ICPS Teaches children how to think, not what to think Guides children in thinking for themselves Teaches children how to evaluate their own ideas Encourages children to come up with solutions to problems on their own

One-hour Training4 ICPS Target Audience Manuals focus on 3 specific age groups: –Preschoolers (ages 3 to 5) –Kindergarten and Primary Grades (K-2 nd ) –Intermediate Elementary Grades (3 rd –6 th ) There are also parenting resources: - Raising a Thinking Child - Raising a Thinking Preteen

One-hour Training5 ICPS… Is a tool to help address existing classroom problems. Gives teachers and students skills to learn to resolve problems and hopefully prevent future problems.

One-hour Training6 Benefits for Children Builds self-confidence and listening skills Encourages thinking about new and different solutions to problems Encourages positive social interaction with peers ability to wait ability to cope with frustration impulsivity social withdrawal

One-hour Training7 Benefits for Teachers Reinforces curriculum goals Creates a more positive classroom atmosphere Decreases time spent handling conflicts Enhances teachers’ own problem-solving skills Deepens insight into children’s thoughts and feelings

One-hour Training8 Key Components of ICPS Vocabulary Words (Is, Is Not, Or, And, Some, All, If, Then, Same, Different, Before, After, Now, Later, Might, Maybe, Why, Because) Feelings - most important question in dialoguing: “how do you feel when…?” Alternatives - coming up with solutions: “can you think of something different to do when…?” Consequences - develops empathy through awareness of other’s feelings: “what might happen if…?”, “Is _____ a good idea or not a good idea?”

One-hour Training9 ICPS Method Teaches skills through the use of games, stories, puppets, and role-playing Guides the use of skills in real-life situations Integrates ideas into standard curriculum

One-hour Training10 What is dialoguing? Teacher/adult guides the child in applying ICPS concepts to solve a real-life problem. Helps children try again if their first attempt to solve a problem fails Helps children learn to cope with frustration when they don’t get what they want immediately Dialoguing is a communication skill

One-hour Training11 The ICPS Dialogue Ladder

One-hour Training12 ICPS Dialoguing Procedures The nature of the problem that arises will determine the exact procedures for dialoguing. Teachers do not need to memorize a set of specific questions. Five basic principles are a guide in ICPS dialoguing.

One-hour Training13 Basic Principles of ICPS Dialoguing 1.Child and teacher/adult must identify the real problem. 2.Each must understand and deal with the problem. 3.Once the real problem is identified, the teacher/adult must not alter it to meet his/her own needs. 4. The child, not the teacher/ adult, must solve the problem. 5. The focus is on how the child thinks, not what he/she thinks.

One-hour Training14 ICPS Dialoguing Procedures Child-Child Problems Teacher-Child Problems

One-hour Training15 When not to dialogue It is not possible or even necessary to dialogue every problem. –Always remove children from harm –Sometimes a crying child just needs to cry or an angry child just needs to be angry.

One-hour Training16 Conclusion Questions, Discussion Next Steps Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any policies, practices, or procedures and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.