ILTS 206 Sub-Area 1 Practice Question #15

A three year old and a four year old have been competing for opportunities to ride the swing. Both children are capable of seating themselves in the swing and pushing it. Which of the following responses from their preschool teacher will best serve to foster the children’s social problem solving skills?

suggesting that the children take turns using the swing and determining who should use the swing firstasking the children to explain the situation and helping them decide what to doredirecting the children to different activities and keeping them separated until their attention is refocusedreminding the children that arguing is against the rules and making the swings off limits to them for the rest of the day

Correct Response: B

Rather than taking the lead in identifying the issue causing the conflict and determining best way to resolve it, the teacher can reinforce problem solving strategies and communication skills by asking the children to describe the problem as they perceive it then encourage the children to come up with viable solutions that they can both agree upon. When children take an active role in finding solutions to such conflicts, they will be more motivated to accept and apply the new resolution.