Activity Name: The What Do I Do Song
Objective: Children will learn basic problem-solving strategies.
Age Group: I created this activity with children ages 3 to 5 years in mind. However, this activity is very moldable and could be used for children a little younger or older with some adapting.
Areas of Development Addressed
This activity supports children’s development in several areas...
- Language Development: Music and singing is an excellent way for children to learn and practice new words and expand their language skills.
- Social Development: One of the goals of this activity is to show children that they can go to an adult for help with a problem. Recognizing that adults can offer assistance and going to them for help is an integral part of social development.
- Cognitive Development: This activity focuses on teaching children how to problem-solve, which is an essential cognitive skill.
The New York State Learning Standards is a document developed by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) that serves as a guide for what children should be learning at different ages. This activity meets two of the preschool learning standards. These standards are...
- Standard: PK.AL.2 Actively engages in problem-solving: The idea of this standard is that children should be learning different methods for problem-solving such as trying different solutions and going to adults for assistance (NYSED, 2019). The song activity addresses this learning standard because the objective is to teach children what they can do and who they can go to when they encounter a problem.
- Standard: PK.ARTS.9. [MU: Pr4-6.PK] Performs Music The idea of this standard is that children should participate in basic music performance through singing, playing with instruments, and moving to music (NYSED, 2019). The song activity addresses this standard because it requires children to sing along and follow a rhythm.
The Importance of Problem Solving Skills
As COVID-19 continues to run its course, the whole world is dealing with a lot of uncertainty and stress. This stress can take a toll on children’s and families’ mental health. One way you can work to protect you and your child’s mental and emotional well being is through building resilience. Rachel Wagner (2016), from the Devereux Center for Resilient Children, explains that resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. Resilience helps us get through difficult times as well as cope with everyday changes and stresses. One of the ways you can help build your child’s resilience is through helping them develop problem-solving skills. According to the National Association of School Psychologists (2017), building problem-solving skills helps children develop a sense of competency. They learn that they are capable of doing hard things and overcoming challenges, which is critical to maintaining a healthy mental state. Teaching problem-solving skills can also benefit families’ mental health by alleviating some stress. Often children become frustrated when they are met with a problem. This frustration can lead to challenging behaviors such as tantrums. Teaching positive ways to deal with problems can help reduce behaviors related to frustration and alleviate the stress of having to constantly guide children through frustration.
Activity Description
The What Do I Do Song is a song you can sing with your child that talks about different things they can try when they run into a problem. It is set to the tune of “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain.” In my version of the song, I talk about taking deep breaths to calm down, talking about our feelings, going to a teacher for help, asking family for help, thinking about solutions, and trying out different ideas. I have linked a video of me singing that you and your child can follow along to. Try singing this song with your child and talking about ways to solve a problem when they are calm. Later, when they become frustrated over a problem, you can use the song as a prompt. For example, you might say, “It looks like you are feeling frustrated right now. Do you remember our problem-solving song?” You can then sing the song together and try some of the different ideas in the song.
Adapting the Song
My version of the song includes some general problem-solving techniques, and if you want, you can use it as is. However, this song can be tailored to your family and child. For example, in the song, I mention going to Mom and Dad for help. However, I realize that families come in all different makeups, so feel free to adapt this song to fit your family. Also, you can add different problem-solving techniques that work for your child. You could even have a discussion with your child about different things they would like to try when they have a problem and add them to the song. The lyrics don’t need to be perfect. In fact, the sillier they are, the more fun you and your child can have.
Adapting the Song
My version of the song includes some general problem-solving techniques, and if you want, you can use it as is. However, this song can be tailored to your family and child. For example, in the song, I mention going to Mom and Dad for help. However, I realize that families come in all different makeups, so feel free to adapt this song to fit your family. Also, you can add different problem-solving techniques that work for your child. You could even have a discussion with your child about different things they would like to try when they have a problem and add them to the song. The lyrics don’t need to be perfect. In fact, the sillier they are, the more fun you and your child can have.
References
National Association of School Psychologists. (2017). Supporting children’s mental health: Tips for parents and educators [Handout]. Bethesda, MD: Author. Retrieved from https://www.nasponline.org
/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/mental-health/prevention-and-wellness-promotion/supporting-childrens-mental-health-tips-for-parents-and-educators
/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/mental-health/prevention-and-wellness-promotion/supporting-childrens-mental-health-tips-for-parents-and-educators
New York State Education Department. (2019). The New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards: A Resource for School Success. Retrieved from http://www.p12.nysed.gov/earlylearning/d
ocuments/new-york-state-prekindergarten-learning-standards.pdf
Wagner, R. [Hartfordfoundation]. (2016, August 9). Rachel Wagner Talks About Building Resilience in Children [VideoFile]. Retrieved from https://centerforresilientchildren.org/
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