WLA YSS Sessions in Short: Group Problem-Solving

Group Problem-Solving with Evidence-Based Case Discussion

 

This session involved all participants in a problem-solving technique developed by Birth to Three practitioners in Wisconsin as a way to discuss challenging situations with families.  Shawn Brommer and I led the group in a process to help a librarian, Florence LaBeau, think about the always-challenging, perennial problem of having too much to do and not enough time to do it.  I’ve used this technique to help groups of librarians think about a variety of issues, including:  setting boundaries with a Friends group; getting un-stuck in a project to create an Early Literacy Area; figuring out how to deal with challenging patron and staff behavior; figuring out whether and how to provide staffing in a teen area; and more.  Nearly every time, the person with the question went away excited to try a few of the possible next steps.

Some ​ ​important​ ​things​ ​that​ ​help​ ​make​ ​this​ ​work​ ​better:

1.      The group should have some trust developed with each other—this works best when people feel safe around each other.

2.      The person with the situation being discussed should be aware that it can be a little vulnerable to be the center of all this attention.

3.      Stick to the order! Don’t let people jump ahead!

Step​ ​One: The person (or people) with the question to be discussed explain the question and the situation.

Step​ ​Two: Everyone in the group identifies assets/strengths/resources/capacities that the person/situation has.

Step​ ​Three: Now (and only now!), people can ask what other information do we need in order to understand the situation? This could be things that can be answered today by the participants, or it might be things that need more research.

Step​ ​Four: The group comes up with possible interpretations of why this situation might be happening.

Step​ ​Five: The group brainstorms possible next steps and suggestions.

Step​ ​Six: The person (or people) with the original question/problem/situation choose a few next steps they would like to pursue.

Author: Leah Langby

To see all the recaps of "WLA Sessions in Short" click below:
Reach One Teach One
Fear Not Coding for the Rest of Us
Using the Five Practices in School Age Programming
Plan Less, Program More

Diversify Me