The Problem Solving Mat
helps kids find a solution and manage their emotions
Problem Solving Mats are a visual and physical guide to help kids process their feelings, practice solution base thinking. It supports teachers’ classroom management, counselor interventions, and yard duty at recess time.
- A self-directed social emotional tool that helps free up the teacher and is student-led.
- Gives a designated space in the classroom to work through emotions and solution based thinking that serves them in their personal and academic lives.
- Yard duty and school staff can easily address recess conflicts and eliminate problems before going back to class.
- Supports counselors and intervention staff with a tool that is developmentally appropriate and easy to follow.
Custom School Packages
The Problem Solving Mat is a designated place in the classroom for students to work out their differences. It gives students a space that can help guide them as they are learning to develop their own voice with one another.
This 3-step structured process is simple to implement. It is a stand alone SEL program and can be integrated into any Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum. These mats put any learning into practice so kids can put work into play!
For Teachers, Counselors, & Support Staff
The classroom tool creates a sense of belonging right from the start. It allows children to connect and build healthy relationships with one another. It is vital that we provide children with the support and tools they need coming back into the classroom with each other. It turns problems into teachable moments and allows for kids to handle their problems in real time. The best part is that kids love it because it helps them feel heard and build strong relationships with each other.
It’s a real game-changer for all of us!
The Problem Solving Mat creates a designated place in homes for sibling to sibling, parent to child, or parent to parent interactions. Families can come together to find solutions. Families will be able to internalize learning and build coping skills. This 3-step process creates an opportunity for everyone to be mentally and physically present. It allows everyone to express their feelings and feel validated.
How to use it?
Place your mat in an area that will be designated as your classroom Problem Solving space. This will allow your students to have access to the mat anytime a conflict arises for their self directed use. Once the mat is integrated into the class, the goal is for students to use it with little to no teacher direction.
(Your mat should be unrolled left out at all times so your students can easily access it. )
Take some time as a whole class to teach the Problem Solving process below. This will encourage students to use the mat independently amongst their peers.
Each student will take a turn stating what they believed happened. Once each child is able to say their side of the story, they will step over to the heart square titled
In this step they will get to share their feelings. They can do this by pointing at the colorful emojis or stating how the situation made them feel.
Lastly, they will make their way over to step 3 the light bulb step. This is where they will work together to come up with a solution to their problem that they both agree on. Once they’ve done that, they have both solved their problem by working together.
Problem Solving Mat
Check out the video and see just how the Problem Solving Mat works.