Teach Problem-Solving

We have more snow on the ground this morning here in the Mid Atlantic. How about you? I’m thinking of problem-solving skills this morning because it’s a life skill, work skill, relationship skill, and survival skill. For instance, when you live in a house built 144 years ago, heating and cooling can be a problem. The house is well-built, don’t get me wrong, and the oil-fueled radiators are very effective. But making sure you have enough oil to keep them running is problematic when a) there’s no way to gauge how much oil you have in the tank, b) the oil company doesn’t allow regularly scheduled deliveries and will only deliver one week before you call, c) they charge an arm and a leg to come sooner than 7 days when you call, d) your daughter keeps forgetting to call, so you only know you’re out of oil when you’re suddenly freezing, and e) it always happens on the coldest week you’ve had in two months. I solved this problem last time (yes, it’s happened more than once. Don’t judge) by buying electric radiator heaters to be used in a pinch and buying myself an electric blanket. Collateral consequence? Everyone’s in my bed to “watch TV” on a cold Sunday morning. So, I’m coming to you with my collective girl power (including dog, cats, gbabies, and my daughter will be here soon) on this cold Sunday morning. I do have my coffee, and I’ve taken over the job of calling of the oil company. So. How are you?

Problem solving is an essential skill, though, all joking aside. For incarcerated students and secondary and postsecondary students beyond the walls, I’m not sure it’s taught robustly enough. We focus on academic, vocational, and skiills that encourage students to explore topics around the humanities so that they understand the world and their place in it better, but hard-core, simple and complex problem solving is a pathway to personal growth, resilience, and for incarcerated individuals, eventual successful reintegration into society.

Secondary and postsecondary students are expected to treat school like a job while they’re there, but face the reality of navigating the real-world after graduation, with all of its daily decisions that are no longer made by others. Incarcerated individuals face multifaceted challenges, from navigating complex emotions to confronting real-world obstacles upon release. By teaching problem-solving skills, we provide them with a toolkit to tackle these challenges head-on. Problem-solving fosters critical thinking, resilience, and adaptability, empowering students to confront adversity constructively rather than succumbing to negative behaviors or cycles of recidivism, or for free-world students, learning by making costly missteps. Moreover, mastering problem-solving instills a sense of agency and self-efficacy, crucial elements for successful entry or reentry into society and the workforce.

How can problem-solving skills be taught? It takes some creativity on the part of educators, and we have to teach people to solve real-life problems. Like, teaching students to make a budget based on the career they can realistically pursue, then finding postings for homes or apartments that are within their budgeted rent/mortgage amount, calculating cost per square footage for the best deal, considering how many people have to live there and the layout of the space, figuring out commute time to work for adults in the home, researching neighborhood culture and school ratings, checking out property taxes, researching to see if there are any limitations for felony convictions, etc…That’s real-time problem solving, and it’s as valuable for high school and college students as it is for folks looking at reentering the community after confinement.

Here are some ways I’ve found that we can creatively teach problem-solving:

Interactive Workshops: Implement interactive workshops that engage students in real-world scenarios, encouraging them to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and evaluate outcomes. These workshops can simulate common challenges faced both within and outside the correctional system, providing practical relevance to the learning process.

Role-Playing Exercises: Utilize role-playing exercises to immerse students in dynamic problem-solving scenarios. By assuming different roles and perspectives, students develop empathy and learn to consider multiple solutions to complex issues. Role-playing also enhances communication skills and fosters teamwork among peers.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Integrate elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into educational programming to address underlying thought patterns and behaviors. CBT techniques, such as cognitive restructuring and problem-solving therapy, help students recognize and challenge negative thought patterns, equipping them with coping strategies for managing challenges effectively.

Peer-Led Discussions: Facilitate peer-led discussions where students can share personal experiences, reflect on challenges, and brainstorm solutions together. Peer support networks foster a sense of community and solidarity, creating a safe space for students to explore problem-solving strategies and learn from each other's insights.

Practical Application Projects/Project Based Learning: Assign projects that require students to apply problem-solving skills in real-world contexts, such as developing business plans, creating community service initiatives, or designing solutions to societal issues. Practical application projects not only reinforce problem-solving skills but also cultivate creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Teaching problem-solving skills isn’t just an educational endeavor; it’s a transformative opportunity to empower individuals, break cycles of incarceration, and foster positive change within communities. By equipping students with the tools to navigate challenges and make positive choices, we sow the seeds of hope and resilience that can ultimately lead to brighter futures for students who are embarking on their first careers beyond school and/or beyond prison walls.

Having said all that, I need to problem solve how quickly I can get from my warm electric-blanket-electric-radiator cozy (albeit crowded) cocoon to the coffee pot for a refill. It’s a tough life. Glad I can share it with you. :)

If you’d like to chat about instructional strategies or would like to discuss professional development opportunities, you know how I love to chat. Contact me here.

Cheers Sunday Morning Coffee-ites. I hope your week is full of peace and happiness and only small problems to solve.