Problem Creator or Problem Solver?

I am blessed to be the grandmother of 2 delightful little toddler grandchildren! Their personalities are completely different - one a shy, cautious and compliant poppet. The other a loud, talkative and, dare I say it, cheeky little man. 

The newest addition in their bedroom, now that the 2-year-old has upgraded to a bed, is a bunk bed. They love it, most of the time. However, at bedtime things do not always go to plan! The compliant poppet is keen to lay her head on the pillow and get to sleep. 

Meanwhile the cheeky little man is ready for a chat and spends as much time as he can standing on the end of his bed ‘talking’ to his big sister. You can picture how this usually plays out….the compliant poppet comes out in tears, desperate for support in how to be a problem solver, while the cheeky little man giggles and plots his next scheme! 

I guess you’d say he is the problem creator in this situation. It’s quite the circus and completely predictable, and for now it is their parents who are helping them navigate and negotiate the challenges that their different personalities and approaches to bedtime present. 

At school, our students are faced with a similar sort of challenge each day as they learn to navigate and negotiate the ups and downs that the gift of friendship brings their way. In every situation, they can either choose to approach difference of opinion, thought, or approach as a problem creator or actively find ways to problem solve and overcome the little friendship bumps that arise! 

Our littlest learners are much like my grandchildren and rely upon the help of trusted adults to support them in solving friendship bumps and disappointments that can arise. Daily, our teachers respond to countless interactions and calls for help – and they do so in love and with genuine care. 

However, it is our deep hope that as the students grow and mature, they will each become better equipped at being problem solvers, using strategies and words that will enable them to reach out, talk it out and smooth it out independently.

Sometimes, a little help, a word of advice, a different perspective or a new idea is what is needed! It is for these times that we have introduced our newest initiative in the Primary Playground….that being our PLAYGROUND PALS!

A PLAYGROUND PAL is chosen for their ability to be a supportive friend, a calm presence and a helpful PAL to others around them. A PLAYGROUND PAL is given a Blue Vest to wear, making them an easily identifiable PAL in the yard. 

Their specific task is to be available to offer help when a little person needs it, and to support their younger peers in developing the necessary problem solving skills to overcome the bumps and challenges. 

Their job is not to be THE problem solver, rather foster a culture of problem solving from everyone, with assistance and encouragement. 

They have proven to be quite popular, almost mistaken to be the PIED PIPER instead of a PLAYGROUND PAL initially, but nevertheless, a wonderful multi-age connection and support that is being displayed across the playground during the breaks, and a wonderful, practical outworking of the words from 1 Thessalonians 5: 11, 

“Encourage one another and build each other up”.