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A kindergarten that focuses on teaching collaborative problem solving

Image credit: Kelly Bielefeld

Darko Savic

Darko Savic Jun 25, 2022

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Kindergartens that focus on teaching collaborative problem-solving and viewing problems as challenges that can be solved if one really commits to solving them.
Why?
Instill in kids the mindset that any problem can be solved if one really commits to solving it, and that complex problems are best solved collaboratively.
Create a better society where people default to collaboration rather than competition.
How it works
Kindergarten or daycare center like any other, but with a twist. The majority of activities and games are designed around collaborative problem-solving.
This kindergarten would use play to teach kids:
not to despair in the face of problems, but to view them as challenges
to internalize useful problem-solving mental models
how to enlist the help of others and motivate everyone to work together for a common goal
to understand that some problems need to be slept on and/or talked about with others before solutions appear
to be patient but persistent with really difficult problems
that some problems require a lifetime of dedication so they should often re-think their priorities/desires
that it's ok to put a challenge on hold (let it simmer) while they play with another
to help others for no reason
that creativity is a "muscle" that can be trained to get better at doing its job
to understand that different minds look at problems from different perspectives. What may seem unremarkable to one person, can spark a revelation in another brain that is wired just a little differently.
what else?

kids child education problem-solving collaboration sociology

1

Creative contributions

Solutions to covert challenges that are proudly reported to parents in front of the kids

Darko Savic

Darko Savic Jun 26, 2022

Often, teachers will set up situations that aren't announced to the kids as challenges but nonetheless serve as covert challenges. For example, in some corner they bolt down a cage with a wire mesh door. Place some shelves inside and introduce it as storage space where stuff is put away. The next day, load it with some interesting snacks or toys that kids would love to get their hands on. The teacher tells the kids that the stuff inside the cage is for them but unfortunately the key has been lost. Leave the kids alone with the cage for a while. Ideally, they would brainstorm ideas and eventually build some kind of a tool made from other toys and use it to reach stuff on the shelves inside the cage. If they do, report it to the parents as spontaneous creative/collaborative problem-solving. Praise the kids to the parents where they can "overhear" it. Make sure they remember it as a win based on collaborative problem-solving.

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Darko Savic

Darko Savic3 years ago

Hopefully, the kids don't go robbing vending machines afterwards😀 

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General comments

ByShubhankar Kulkarni

Bedtime storybooks that glow in the dark

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City-wide ambient street lights that indicate how the residents felt that day

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An international grudge burying day and custom that goes with it

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Marketing scheme where sponsors pay taxi fares for people who solve a problem while commuting

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An app that provides you with random interesting problems to think about whenever you're bored

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Establishing problem-solving as a professional sport at the international level

ByDarko Savic

Mandatory 6 months of paid public service focusing on compassion and care for others

ByDarko Savic

A gamified group contract that financially punishes/rewards members for adhering to a common goal