EXAMINE

Cognitive flexibility has some of its most significant impact on social relationships and interpersonal communication skills with young children. A lack of this type of flexibility can make shifting thinking or making transitions difficult; it can be devastating to a child when something goes against the “rules.”  Think of a social situation in your class that involves cognitive flexibility. Listen as our content expert, Amy, describes a social situation that was related to mental flexibility. 

VOICES FROM THE FIELD COMMENTARY #1:

Consider the situation in the clip above, with a child at group time have an emotional reaction and unable to think flexibly.  What can we do as teachers to support social problem solving and the development of thinking flexibly?  Respond in the comment box below.
For more information visit: http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/strategies.html.  

VOICES FROM THE FIELD COMMENTARY #2:

Reflect on your own classroom.  Thinking flexibly is an abstract concept for young children to understand. It is not fair or appropriate to tell children “you need to be more flexible” without first explaining what you mean, and also giving them strategies for doing just that.  What is a phrase or question you could use to encourage children to think flexibly or approach a problem in another way? Before proceeding, comment in the box below.
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