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Kelso's Choices

Kelso's Choices:

Meet Kelso the frog.

Kelso’s Choices are used throughout Fall River as a model for problem solving and teaching children strategies for solving small problems on their own.  Your child can use Kelso's Choices to solve kid-sized or little problems all by themselves.

We learn that BIG problems always require the help of an adult they trust (parents, teachers, grandparents, counselor…). We know it’s a big problem if we feel scared or feel unsafe, or if anyone is physically hit, kicked or hurt.  We know to get adult help immediately if we have a big problem.

We also learn that students are strong enough and smart enough to handle most small problems on their own, using one of the nine Kelso’s Choices.  We often will try a couple choices at once to solve a problem, and we know that not every strategy will fit every situation.  Learning about Kelso’s Choices can increase your child’s confidence in their ability to cope with conflict and change, as well as build friendship and problem-solving skills that can last a lifetime.

Kelso’s Choices:

  1. Go to another game (if someone is cheating or not playing fairly).
  2. Share and take turns (if you and a friend both want the same toy, pencil, ball, slide…).
  3. Apologize (if you hurt someone’s feelings).
  4. Ignore (if someone is saying mean words).
  5. Tell them to stop (doing what it is that bothers you).
  6. Walk away (if someone is being unkind).
  7. Wait and cool off (take a deep breath, count to 10, and think about what you need to do next).
  8. Talk it out (tell the person using an I-message how you feel and what you would like them to do instead).
  9. Make a deal (decide together with the other person what you can do to solve the problem. Example: “Rock, Paper, Scissors”).

Kelso's Choice Wheel

Kelso the frog teaches students how to solve “small” problems on their own. “Small” problems include conflicts that cause “small” feelings of annoyance, embarrassment, boredom, etc. “BIG problems” always need to be taken to an adult. These are situations that are scary, dangerous, illegal, etc.

Kelso has nine choices to solve “small problems.” These are illustrated in the Kelso’s Choice Wheel. They include:

  • Go to another game
  • Talk it out
  • Share and take turns
  • Ignore it
  • Walk away
  • Tell them to stop
  • Apologize
  • Make a deal
  • Wait and cool off

When a child comes to you to solve their “small problem,” tell them to try one to two of Kelso’s Choices first. If that doesn’t work, then an adult can intervene. Make sure your kids know to ask an adult for help in the event of a “BIG problem.”