How do you like the feel of these objects? You can squeeze it and it conforms to your hand. It’s pretty flexible. It changes- doesn’t always stay the same

Rigid vs. Flexible Thinking

Good social thinkers are flexible thinkers When faced with a problem: -Flexible thinker: makes their brain move around the problem, thinks of possible solutions, thinks of others (if you have a soft ball- squeeze it. It conforms to your hand) -Examples: You are outside for recess and teachers say it’s time to go in. Flexible thinker thinks, “I want to stay outside but I can wait until next recess”

Pass around the rock Do you like the feel of this object? Are you able to move it at all? Is it flexible?

Rock Brain (aka Rigid Thinkers) Unable to move their brains around a problem Only think of themselves Not good social thinkers

Which object would be more fun to play with or hold? You can play games with the flexible objects -Toss it -Use it as a fidget Rock would not be good to play with because it could hurt someone -just like a rigid thinker could easily hurt someone’s feelings

Rigid Thinkers CIXRVcq Sheldon- table CIXRVcq XTYSIAa Buddy- Santa Announcement XTYSIAa

Situation- Is the person being rigid or flexible? How could they be more flexible? 1.Joe is playing basketball at recess. Brandon wants to play so he takes the ball away from Joe. 1.Lilly and Penny are supposed to line up to go to lunch. Lilly gets there first and Penny gets mad because she wanted to be first. Penny pushes Lilly out of the way and takes her place.

Situation- Is the person being rigid or flexible? How could they be more flexible? 3. Joe is in line at lunch to get pizza. When he gets there, he is told that they just ran out and now only have corn dogs. Joe is disappointed, but he thinks, "I can have pizza another day" and takes the corn dog. 4. Lilly forgets that it is library day. She left her book at home and becomes very upset that she doesn't have her book. She starts yelling.

What is flexibility? Where do we see/use flexibility? How do you need to use flexibility in video games? How do you need to use flexibility in school?

People’s brains work in different ways Black and White Thinkers : see things as one way or another *tend to like things to be perfect* Gray Thinkers: think about possible options instead one way or another *tend to be more flexible*

Who is more flexible?

Need to think about your audience and situation Sheldon teaches Penny Physics What is Sheldon’s problem? Why is this hard for him? How could he be more flexible?

People’s brains work in different ways Black and White Thinkers : see things as one way or another *tend to like things to be perfect* Gray Thinkers: think about possible options instead one way or another *tend to be more flexible*

Sheldon’s attempt at being flexible Was he successful?

What are some things that are hard for you to be flexible about? For me- I don’t like when my schedule unexpectedly changes Have to learn to be flexible- which means problem solving, you may make mistakes

Are these the same cookie? Can mistakes be a good thing?

Let’s problem solve Here’s your problem –> This is how you feel What do you do to be flexible ?

Being Rigid- only seeing things one way Being on a stuck escalator- Inhibits your ability to problem solve or try new things What could be other problems with being rigid?

Rigid or Flexible- Problem Solving Sheldon is locked out of his apartment How is he being rigid? Is he flexible or is Penny flexible? How is Penny feeling? Why?

Being flexible can lead to good or new things Max being rigid , What types of things is Max being rigid on? -What’s the problem with him being rigid? -When he’s flexible, what’s the benefit?

What do you think of this situation? Sheldon goes shopping with Penny - Penny is trying to be helpful Different perspectives

What should he do? James always sits in the front seat when he goes in the car with his dad. James and his dad are going to pick up James’s friend Matt to go to a movie. When they pick up Matt, Dad says, “Go sit in the back with Matt.” What should James do? Why?

What should he do? Harry and Jack always spend their Saturday’s in Harry’s basement playing video games. One day, Jack shows up Saturday morning at Harry’s house with two friends of his and a football. Harry says, “No thanks” and goes downstairs to play video games. What should Harry do? What would be the flexible thing to do?

What should he do? John likes maps and he knows almost all the roads in his town. In the car with his mother on the way home from school, he notices that his mother is not driving home the fastest way! He tells her this, but when she does not follow his directions, he starts to get pretty mad. What should John do? Even though he might be right, why should he be flexible?

What should she do? Irene is thinking about inviting Ann over to play video games. Irene remembers that Ann does not like to play video games very much, and Irene LOVES video games. Irene decides to not invite Ann over. What should Ann do instead to be flexible?

Problem Solve You are supposed to go to a friend’s house on Saturday. Mom wakes up and is sick with the flu. What are you options?/ How could you be flexible? Complete STEP Model worksheet

Look for examples of being Rigid or being Flexible Boy Meets World- Season 2, Me and Mr. Joad Who is being flexible? -Is this a successful attempt at being flexible? Hank’s Issue -Adults have trouble being flexible and working with people too -Have to think about the other person’s feelings not just your own

Role-Plays: Dealing with a Rigid Person 1.Margie goes to an after-school club called The Video Game Club. One day, Bob, another kid in the club says, “Hey, how about if next week we bring in our board games and some of us play those instead?” Margie disagrees and decides to tell Bob why you can’t do this in Video Game Club. -What will people think of Margie?

Role-Plays: Dealing with a Rigid Person 2. Joey loves to have bagels every Sunday morning. One Sunday, Dad tells him, “It’s Mother’s Day. No bagels today; mom wants to go out to breakfast instead.” Joey thinks, “Mother’s Day is going to be pretty awful.” -What will Dad and Joey’s brother Tim think about Joey’s behavior? -What are some things Joey could tell himself to feel better about the change?

Complete worksheet

How do you feel about change? One person’s view on change His view on change changed

How can we deal with change and be flexible? Accept it Move on Ask for some help

Check Out- Worksheet- Rigid/Flexible

Boy Meets World