It's Never Too Late According to Dr. Ross W. Greene
By Susan Perkins
On April 5th, 2024, Dr. Greene presented a workshop for early childhood professionals on his model of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions to problem-solving with very young kids. The transformational, evidence-based model focuses on solving problems rather than on modifying behavior, emphasizes collaborative rather than unilateral solutions, encourages proactive rather than reactive intervention, de-emphasizes diagnostic categories, and provides practical, research-based tools for assessment and intervention.
Dr Greene gave a clear description of how to put this model into practice:
Pay attention to the problem causing the behavior.
Solve problems collaboratively. “Ask the kids (even very young children).”
Be proactive. “Be early, not late.”
Change your behavior and remember: ‘Kids do well if they can.’
Assess a child’s skills (and unsolved problems) by using the Skills Assessment tool at CPS MATERIALS / PAPERWORK – LIVES IN THE BALANCE
Focus on EQUITY, not equality, i.e., ‘meet kids where they are at.’
He described the steps to collaborative problem-solving:
Use empathy, and remember how tough it can be for children to meet expectations. Suggesting prompts like “I noticed...What’s up?”
Identify the adult concern of unrealized expectations.
Invite realistic mutually satisfying solutions by asking “I wonder if there is a way...”
More tips and resources are available free for practitioners and parents at LIVES IN THE BALANCE.