Problem Solving with Young Children

Facing moments of conflict, misunderstanding, and challenge are part of the human experience we all share. Through our work with children, Ann Gadzikowski reminds us that we have inner reservoirs of creativity, courage, and connection to handle the moments that surprise us, moments when we feel less certain and skilled. The teacher becomes the learner and the learner becomes the teacher. Problem Solving with Children helps educators embrace difficult moments with curiosity, humor, and grace.

—Cori Berg, Director, Christ Lutheran Child Development Center, Dallas 

Ann provides new and tenured teachers heirloom seeds of wisdom with pH balanced approaches to problem solving with young children. Her clear explanations and accessible examples are to be practiced as one may do after visiting a master gardener's tool shed, "Ah-ha! Now, this is useful!"

—Meredith Dodd, Lead Teacher, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools 

Reading Problem Solving with Young Children: Building Creativity, Critical Thinking and Resilience by Ann Gadzikowski was a satisfying confirmation of everything I hold dear in guiding young children’s creative problem solving. As Ann says, it takes time and intention to respond to the unexpected, especially as the unique characteristics of each classroom, child, and family are taken into consideration. With helpful examples, Ann provides sound, research-based strategies for making problem-solving a central component of the preschool day that both new and veteran teachers will embrace as doable. This book is an exceptional gift to the novice teacher and a wonderful resource for every teacher wanting to launch little problem solvers into a world that desperately needs them!

--Rosanne Regan Hansel, author of Creative Block Play and Exploring the 3-D World