Problem Solving

Impulse control is an executive functioning skill that allows you think before you act and to prioritize long-term success over short-term gains. When you have good self-control, you are able to resist doing things that may be harmful to yourself or to...

Problem solving involves many other executive functioning behaviors, including reasoning, attention, planning, initiation, working memory, and self-monitoring. Teach your students problem solving skills with these activities that accompany the...

Sometimes making a choice is easy. Other times, it is quite hard. This is especially true when every option is less than ideal or simply stinks. Even when children think there are no good choices, they skill have to make a decision. Award-winning author...

In this activity, students will practice goal setting, which can be a difficult task for some. Often times, students only see the problems in their life and not the opportunities for growth and development. As adults, we need to encourage them to look...

Students will have the opportunity to put themselves in Braden’s shoes in this activity, teaching the importance of flexible thinking and responsibility. The exercise accompanies the storybook My Day is Ruined! from the Executive FUNction series...

Teaching students to plan, prioritize, and post can help break down assignments into more manageable tasks. Reinforce the message from Bryan Smith's I'll Never Get All of That Done! storybook, by displaying this colorful 8.5"x11" poster in...

Overreacting is common for children, but as they get older, it becomes more important that they learn to manage their emotions and practice flexible thinking. Reinforce the message from Bryan Smith's My Day is Ruined! storybook, by displaying...

When children don't get what they want or expect, they often get upset and angry. Reacting calmly and appropriately during these times is an important skill for children to learn and use to be successful at home, school, and with others. Reinforce the...

Being able to speak up for yourself is a life skill. Teaching children the value of self-advocacy can help in many ways. Remind students of the steps to controlling their impulses from Bryan Smith's Speak Up For Yourself storybook, by displaying this...

As a child, it's not easy controlling your impulse reactions. Kids do things before they think all of the time. Remind students of the steps to controlling their impulses from Bryan Smith's What Were You Thinking? storybook, by displaying this...

The one thing all of us have in common is that we have to solve problems and challenges of various degrees. A lucky few among us always seem to resolve complex problems successfully by thinking critically and logically. Even the most talented problem...

Helping children become good decision makers and lifelong problem solvers involves teaching them to choose.  Reinforce the message from Bryan Smith's What's Your Choice? storybook, by displaying this colorful 8.5"x11" poster in classrooms,...