Problem Solving

Blend STEM into your daily teaching, integrate character development lessons, and teach students how to code all at the same time! While students are engaged in learning in fun and creative ways, they will explore their values and beliefs, learn to...

Use these engaging downloadable activities to reinforce the lessons taught in the storybook, Catch the Ball! The activities are best suited for children ages 5-11.  The Five Downloadable Activities include: Activity 1 – How Might they Be...

Working memory is an important executive function because it helps children (and adults!) recall information required to complete tasks or functions, such as notetaking, spelling, or the order of operations in math. Some children seem to excel in this...

Planning is the ability to create a roadmap to reach a goal or achieve a task, while prioritizing involves the ability to make decisions about what is important for you to focus on next. It can be challenging for children to know where to get started on...

Flexible thinking allows people to think about things in new ways or to incorporate new information into a specific plan or idea. Flexible thinkers are often able to come up with more than one solution to a problem or challenge. The ability to think...

Self-control is the ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behavior and to keep one's cool in the face of disappointment. These four activities developed by author Bryan Smith can help children with self-control. The lessons are designed to...

From standing up to a bully to speaking up when you're struggling in school to sharing concerns with a partner when you're an adult to advocating for what you need or want in a job, self-advocacy has many benefits. But it takes practice! Award-winning...

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...