Problem Solving Social Story & SEL Activities Getting Help Tattling & Reporting

Description

Help children learn when they might try a problem-solving strategy and when it is time to get help from a trusted adult with this updated, neurodiversity-affirming Problem Solving Social Story & SEL Toolkit.

 

Designed for elementary classrooms, special education, counseling, homeschool, and home use, this resource teaches a flexible, child-centered framework:

 

SAFETY → NEEDS → STRATEGIES → SUPPORT

 

Children learn to notice how a problem feels, think about what they need, try a strategy when they feel safe, and ask for adult support when a problem feels hard or unsafe, keeps happening, a strategy does not help, or they simply are not sure what to do.

 

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🌱 A Thoughtful Update to the Traditional “Tattling vs. Reporting” Approach

 

If you used or loved the previous version of this resource, you will notice an important shift in this new edition.

 

Traditional lessons about tattling and reporting often ask children to decide whether a problem is “small” or “big” and then determine whether they should handle it themselves or tell an adult. While those terms may still be familiar at school and at home, this updated resource takes a more flexible approach.

 

Instead of focusing on whether a child is “tattling,” children are encouraged to think about:

 

Is this safe?

What do I need?

Is there a strategy I feel safe trying?

Would adult support help?

 

This shift does not mean children are discouraged from solving everyday problems independently. Children still learn and practice useful strategies such as using clear words, asking for what they need, taking space, taking turns, choosing something else, and using calming tools.

 

The difference is that adult help is never treated as a failure to solve the problem independently.

 

Children learn that they can get help when something feels unsafe or hard, when a problem keeps happening, when a strategy is not working, or when they are unsure what to do. A problem that seems small to one person may also feel very different to another.

 

Trying a safe strategy and asking for help are both important problem-solving skills.

 

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🏠 Built for Home, School & Community

 

Problem-solving does not happen only in the classroom!

 

Children explore situations involving school, home, friendships, family life, playgrounds, and community settings so they can begin applying the same language and skills wherever problems happen. Family resources help adults reinforce the framework at home and identify trusted adults children can turn to in different settings.

 

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💚 Neurodiversity-Affirming & Child-Centered

 

This resource recognizes that the same problem may feel different to different people.

 

Children are not expected to respond to problems in exactly the same way or independently manage every situation. They are encouraged to notice their own needs, communicate, use strategies that work for them, and seek support when needed.

 

Practice activities also allow for more than one helpful response rather than requiring children to find one “correct” answer.

 

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✨ What’s Included?

 

This 65+ page Problem Solving Social Story & SEL Toolkit includes:

 

• When a Problem Happens Social Story

• Story-Specific Adult Notes & Discussion Guide

• Discussion & Comprehension Questions

• SEL Teaching Cards

• Let’s Talk About It! Discussion Cards

• Problem-Solving & Getting Help Practice Mat

• Real-Life Problem-Solving Practice Scenarios

• Calm & Confident Toolbox

• Class Pledge

• Student Promise & Practice Plan

• My Problem-Solving Plan Poetry Poster

• Poetry Recitation & Movement Activity

• Read, Reflect, Grow! Poetry Response

• Social Skills Reminder & Challenge Cards

• My Social Skills Reader

• Parent/Family Connection Letter

• Family Discussion Questions & Activities

• Take-Home Poem & Family Time Activity

• Teacher/Parent Guides throughout

• Color and printer-friendly resources where included

 

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🎥 BONUS: Narrated Social Story Video

 

Also included is access to a BONUS narrated version of the Social Story on YouTube, giving children another way to revisit the story and reinforce the skill. Use it for whole-group lessons, independent review, home practice, or repeated exposure to the story.

 

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💡 Children Will Practice How To:

 

• Notice whether a problem feels safe or unsafe

• Think about what they need when a problem happens

• Recognize that problems may feel different to different people

• Try a strategy when a problem feels safe

• Use clear words to communicate needs

• Ask a trusted adult for help

• Get help when a problem keeps happening

• Seek support when a strategy does not work

• Ask for help when they are unsure what to do

• Use problem-solving and help-seeking skills at school, at home, and in the community

 

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👩‍🏫 Great For:

 

Elementary classrooms • Special education • School counseling • SEL lessons • Homeschool • Autism support • ADHD support • Social skills groups • Calm corners • Morning meetings • Individual instruction • Small groups • Family learning

 

Use the Social Story to introduce the skill, the teaching and discussion cards to deepen understanding, the Practice Mat and scenarios to apply it, and the family resources to carry the same supportive language into everyday life.

 

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🌱 The Message Children Take With Them

 

I can try a strategy.

I can get help.

Both are good choices.

 

Children do not need to handle every problem alone. With practice and support, they can grow more confident in noticing what they need, trying helpful strategies, and knowing when to reach out to a trusted adult.