Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) is an approach to understanding and helping children with behavioral challenges originated by Dr. Ross Greene. The CPS model views behavioral challenges as a form of learning disability or developmental delay -- in other words, behaviorally challenging kids are lacking crucial cognitive skills, especially in the domains of flexibility, frustration tolerance, and problem-solving -- and seeks to create fundamental changes in interactions between kids with behavioral challenges and their adult caregivers by having caregivers engage kids in solving problems collaboratively. Dr. Ross Greene is the author of The Explosive Child and the founder of Lives in the Balance. Think Kids uses Collaborative Problem Solving and works out of MGH Hospital in Boston, MA. Here is the document we will use to think about a child. Kids do Well if They Can is an amazing article that helps you rethink problem behaviors.
Behavior is a symptom of a lagging skill deficit and an unmet classroom expectation (academic, behavior, social). Our job is to identify the skill deficits and provide opportunities to learn so the behavior decreases and the child is better able to meet the classroom expectations.
Share a successful strategy in increasing appropriate behavior.