Research indicates that problem solving is an important coping skill to promote wellness. The PIP (Problems-Ideas-Plans) is a fun, creative tool to develop problem solving skills. It is brief, engaging, and can be used by both children and adults.
Parents with younger children can introduce the activity at home using this worksheet: PIP Problems-Ideas-Plans.
For educators, the PIP is a practical activity that promotes decision making skills of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) along with the creative (divergent) and critical (convergent) thinking skills of ’21st century learning’.
The PIP model may be taught within a single class period to any size group. To receive the PIP worksheet, presentation, and lesson plan for grades k-12, email: BobAnthony@AdolescentWellness.org
iGROW teens teaching PIP
Practicing PIP in Nigeria
The PIP activity exercises :
- Developing and examining multiple perspectives
- Withholding judgment and criticism in evaluating one’s and others’ ideas
- Promoting cognitive flexibility – generating many ideas and ways of thinking
- Promoting collaboration
- Use of creativity as it is defined by the individual
Creative problem solving can also be a strategy in treatment for depression; an example of related literature may be viewed through the following link:
