Unit Plan 13 (Grade K Counselor): Small Problems and Big Problems
Teach Kindergarten small and big problems with problem-size sorting, trusted adults, help-seeking words, and safe next steps.
Focus: Teach students to identify common small problems and begin distinguishing them from big problems that require adult help. Small problems might include not getting a turn, dropping a crayon, or disagreeing about a game. Big problems might include someone being hurt, unsafe, very scared, or needing an adult right away.
Grade Level: K
Subject Area: School Counseling (Problem-Solving • Trusted Adults • Help-Seeking)
Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This Kindergarten counseling lesson helps students understand that different problems need different kinds of help. Some problems are small problems, such as dropping a crayon, waiting for a turn, losing a toy, or disagreeing about a game. These problems may feel upsetting, but students can often begin solving them with words, waiting, sharing, trying again, or asking for help if needed.
Students also learn that some problems are big problems and need a trusted adult right away. Big problems may include someone being hurt, something feeling unsafe, a student being very scared, a feeling that is too big to handle alone, or a situation where students cannot stay safe. The goal is for students to begin recognizing the difference between small problems they can try to solve and big problems that need adult help.
Essential Questions
- What is a small problem?
- What is a big problem?
- What small problems happen at school?
- When should students ask a trusted adult for help?
- What can students do when a feeling or problem feels too big?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Identify common small problems at school, such as not getting a turn, losing a toy, dropping a crayon, or disagreeing with a friend.
- Recognize big problems that require adult help, such as someone being hurt, unsafe, very scared, or needing help right away.
- Sort simple school scenarios into small problems and big problems.
- Name trusted adults at school who can help with big problems.
- Practice help-seeking words such as “I need help,” “Someone is hurt,” “Something feels unsafe,” or “My feeling is too big.”
- Recognize when a feeling is too big to handle alone and identify a safe adult who can help.
- (Optional Session) Apply small-problem and big-problem thinking through puppet scenarios, picture sorting, trusted adult matching, help phrase practice, or a problem-size reflection page.
Standards Alignment — Grade K (ASCA-based Custom)
- C:S4.Ka — Identify Small Problems
- Recognize common small problems at school, such as not getting a turn, losing a toy, or disagreeing with a friend.
- Example: A student says, “We both wanted the same crayon,” during a problem-solving discussion.
- C:S6.Ka — Identify Trusted Adults
- Name trusted adults at school and understand when to go to them for help.
- Example: A student identifies the teacher, counselor, nurse, or principal as someone who can help.
- C:S2.Kc — Ask for Help with Big Feelings
- Recognize when a feeling is too big to handle alone and identify a safe adult who can help.
- Example: A student says, “I can ask my teacher or counselor when I feel really upset.”
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can name a small problem.
- I can name a big problem.
- I can tell when a problem needs an adult.
- I can name a trusted adult at school.
- I can say, “I need help.”
- I can ask for help when a feeling is too big.
- I can choose a safe next step.