💛 SELLevel 1Lesson 25
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Solving Problems Calmly

Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).

What you will learn

  • 1Use simple steps to solve problems calmly
  • 2Practice stopping, breathing, naming the problem, and choosing a kind, fair, and safe idea
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Mini Lesson

Every day we meet small problems: someone takes a toy, two people talk at the same time, or a game does not feel fair.

Solving problems calmly means…

  • Noticing the problem and stopping for a moment.
  • Taking a slow breath to help our body feel calmer.
  • Naming the problem with simple words.
  • Thinking of small, fair ideas that are kind and safe.

Simple steps — Stop, Breathe, Think, Choose

  • Stop — Pause your body. Feet still, hands still.
  • Breathe — Take one or two slow belly breaths.
  • Think — Say the problem in your head or out loud.
  • Choose — Pick a kind, fair, and safe idea.

Calm problem-solving ideas

  • Use an "I" message: "I feel upset when... I need..."
  • Take turns, share the item or space, or make a compromise.
  • Change the game so it feels fair for everyone.
  • Ask a trusted adult for help if it feels too big or unsafe.

Why calm matters

  • When we stay calm, it is easier to listen and use kind words.
  • People feel safer and more respected.
  • We can find solutions where everyone feels more okay.

Words to know

Problem

Something that is wrong or hard that needs to be fixed

e.g. Two friends wanting one toy is a problem.

Calm

Quiet and steady, not upset

e.g. I stayed calm when I felt mad.

Solution

A way to fix the problem

e.g. Taking turns is one solution.

I-message

A sentence that starts with "I feel" to share how you feel

e.g. My I-message was "I feel sad when…"

Compromise

A choice that works for both people

e.g. We made a compromise — half each.

Four calm problem-solving stepsFour circles in a row show the steps Stop, Breathe, Think, and Choose to remind children how to solve problems calmly.StopBreatheThinkChoosepauseslow breathname itkind ideaStay calm to solve it safely.kind • fair • safe
Stop, Breathe, Think, Choose — four calm steps for solving problems.
Kind calm problem-solving ideasFour labeled cards show calm ideas to try when a small problem happens: say how you feel, take turns, change the game, or ask an adult.Calm IdeasI feel...I need...an "I" messageTake turnssharefair for everyoneChangethe gamemake it fairAsk an adultfor helptoo big / unsafePick one kind, fair, safe idea.
Four calm ideas to try when a small problem happens.
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Ask yourself: "Can I do my steps: Stop, breathe, think, choose? What is one calm idea I can try?"

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