the problem solving superhero

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The Problem-Solving Superhero

Heidi Miget, Yogita Chawdhary

The Problem-Solving Superhero is an illustrated rhyming story about a little boy who learns how to accomplish tasks without relying on his parents.

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Oct 01, 2021

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9798481452913

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How to Be a Problem-solving Superhero Without Fixing it Yourself

Tammy Lenski’s Conflict Zen Blog

Years ago, a student came to my office with a problem. I was a dean at the time and I had many appointments like this in an average day.

Sometimes they were problems with a professor, sometimes they were problems with a parent, sometimes with a boss at an off-campus job. Not uncommonly they were problems with a roommate, a friend, or someone in campus administration. Most of these problems involved conflict.

To give you a sense of what it’s like to be a dean, I’ll tell you that when I left that job to begin a new career as a conflict resolutionary, one of the good-bye gifts from my staff was a fire extinguisher “to remember the job by.”

This student came in and sat down across from me at my office conference table. She had a problem with a professor she believed had it in for her. She wanted me to talk to the professor and persuade him to give her another chance on an important test she’d failed.

With each detail she told me about her situation, I could see her problem inching its way toward me across the table. On she went and closer crept the problem until it was right in front of me, hovering on the table edge, about to tumble over into my lap.

If you’re a leader or manager, this story is probably familiar because it’s not uncommon for employees to send their problems across the table to you, too. In fact, your ability to fix problems may well be part of what led to your career advancement. It can feel very gratifying, even downright triumphant, to sort out a sticky conflict between employees. There are days as a dean when I quite justifiably could have donned a superhero cape.

But that kind of let-me-save-you problem solving heroism comes at a price: Burnout. Fatigue. Falling behind on other important responsibilities. Employees who keep coming back for more help, for more of your running interference, mistaking your problem-solving prowess for permission to hand off conflict resolution to you. Employees who don’t develop their own problem-solving skills, the very ones they’ll need for professional success and later advancement.

Sometimes, it’s not the employee who makes the mistake. Sometimes it’s us: We mistake short-term efficiency (“I’ll just get this dealt with and then it will be done”) with long-term effectiveness. Some problems just seem to keep coming back no matter what we try.

That student sitting across the conference table from me had been in my office before. In fact, she told me, I’d been so helpful to her when she had a problem with the registrar that she was sure I could help her this time, too.

It is seductive to hear this. Who doesn’t want to hear how helpful they are?

I put my hands out to stop the problem from tumbling into my lap. I covered it with my hands and could feel it trying to free itself from my grip. It was a slippery little sucker.

I said to the student, “Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to take this problem you’ve just nudged over to me and I’m going to send it back across the table to you.” My hands moved across the table, then gave a final little shove of the problem toward her.

She started down at the table, frowning. “What do you want me to do with it?” I could tell she didn’t like the problem’s close proximity.

“Instead of calling your professor and stepping into the middle of this, I’m going to help you figure out what to do. He’ll be more impressed if you handle this brilliantly on your own than if I do it for you. And I’ll still be here later if you need me and you won’t have wasted my help on something I know you can ace yourself.”

You can be a problem solving superhero without doing the fixing yourself or using advice-giving as your most-used tool. It’s freeing for you, professionally useful for your employees, and saves your skill and talent for the difficult situations that really do warrant your deep involvement.

I’m going to be teaching leaders and managers how to do this in my May workshop, Breaking the Conflict Cycle: The Leader and Manager as Conflict Coach.

Registration opens next week. Enrollment will be limited, so please contact workshop host Susan Terry to join the priority list and get 24-hour advance notification before registration opens to the general public.

Tammy Lenski

Dr. Tammy Lenski helps individuals, pairs, teams, and audiences navigate disagreement better, address friction, and build alignment. Her current work centers on creating the conditions for robust collaboration and sound decisions while fostering resilient personal and professional relationships. Her conflict resolution podcast and blog, Disagree Better, are available at https://tammylenski.com/archives/… MORE >

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Superheroes and CBT for Youth

• First Online: 15 July 2022

Cite this chapter

• Sandra S. Pimentel 3 , 4 &
• Ryan C. T. DeLapp 3 , 4  

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This chapter focuses on how clinicians can incorporate superheroes and superhero themes to creatively supercharge delivery of cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) to youth. Most youth are familiar with superheroes and their stories, and as such, these may be accessible teaching and engagement tools. Superhero narratives often include characters who have experienced early adversity and marginalization and (eventually) demonstrate strategies for coping and resilience. The chapter includes utilizing superhero characters and narratives in case conceptualization and across CBT components such as psychoeducation, cognitive coping skills, problem-solving, somatic management, behavioral activation, and exposures. Coping is framed as a superpower, and the chapter incorporates sample therapy scripts as well as suggestions for tailoring fun superhero tools and props.

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Pimentel, S.S., DeLapp, R.C.T. (2022). Superheroes and CBT for Youth. In: Friedberg, R.D., Rozmid, E.V. (eds) Creative CBT with Youth. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99669-7_9

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The Problem-Solving Superhero: A Children’s Growth Mindset Book About Becoming a Problem Solver Tapa blanda – 1 Octubre 2021

Opciones de compra y productos add-on.

The Problem-Solving Superhero is an illustrated rhyming story about a little boy who learns how to accomplish tasks without relying on his parents.

Teach your children independence and the powerful ability to solve problems on their own.

This story is ideal for children ages 4-8 and is a great growth mindset resource for parents and teachers.

Children’s Book Details:

• Colorful illustrations featuring a young boy and girl at the park
• Teaches the joy of independence and the value of a growth mindset
• Ideal for boys and girls, ages 4-8

---------------------

No capes or wands are needed for this superhero story; just a desire to learn, grow and try something new!

• Número de páginas 24 páginas
• Idioma Inglés
• Fecha de publicación 1 Octubre 2021
• Dimensiones 8 x 0.06 x 10 pulgadas
• ISBN-13 979-8481452913
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• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09HHKNTBD
• Editorial ‏ : ‎ Independently published (1 Octubre 2021)
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• Tapa blanda ‏ : ‎ 24 páginas
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8481452913
• Dimensiones ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.06 x 10 pulgadas
• nº176 en Libros Infantiles de Ficción Cristiana de Valores y Virtudes
• nº243 en Cómics de Superhéroes para Niños (Libros)

Sobre el autor

Heidi miget.

Hi! I'm Heidi :-) I am a mom of two boys, who were my inspiration for this story. One of my favorite activities as a mom is reading with my children. Ever since they were newborns, I have always wanted to write one of my own and it's been such a fun process! My husband, Eric, and I live in St. Louis, Missouri where we love to try new adventures as a family.

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Turn Worry Into Your Superpower

How we can utilize anxiety to strengthen problem solving..

Posted July 16, 2021 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

• What Is Anxiety?
• Find a therapist to overcome anxiety
• Telling someone to "calm down" when they are stressed or worried is both unhelpful and invalidating.
• Worrying does have benefits—it helps us to energize and focus.
• If we are able to redirect the energy and focus that comes from worrying to problem-solving, we can turn worrying into a superpower.

The trouble with saying, "Calm down."

Many of us have been on the receiving end of that encouraging feedback, which is a splendid combination of insulting and useless. Calm down? Thanks, we hadn’t thought of that. Considering that anxiety can be painful at times, chances are, if we could simply “calm down,” we probably would have done so already. Now we have two problems—we are intensely anxious, and we realize we have a not-so-helpful friend.

As it turns out, imploring us to calm down is not only unhelpful but also exactly the wrong advice. Telling us to calm down does several counterproductive things. First, it is incredibly invalidating and does not in any way recognize that there might be something that we are worrying about for good reason. It, therefore, does not give credibility to the fact that anxiety is designed specifically to warn us of impending danger. So, whereas feeling heard and understood might actually soothe and reassure us, being told to “calm down” will cause us to try to suppress and avoid our feelings, making our anxiety and worry worse, not better.

Second, it follows that failing to identify the problem that is causing our anxiety will limit our opportunity to identify any effective strategies to address it. Suppose our inability to calm down is from an imminent threat that the other person cannot identify? As an example, from an evolutionary perspective, it would certainly not be adaptive to tell us to calm down as we see a hungry lion approach. And while the frequency of lion attacks in today’s day and age is perhaps less common, our anxiety and worry are usually based on a perceived threat that may feel and actually be very real to us. So, instead of helping us develop effective problem-solving strategies to deal with the cause of our anxiety, telling us to calm down offers no real strategies or solutions.

Next, when we are told simply to “calm down,” it avoids addressing our real problem and creates another real problem—it damages rather than strengthens our social support network. Specifically, because being told to calm down is such an invalidating and ineffective strategy, it tends to undermine our relationship with that person. Thus, it erodes our social support, which we need in difficult situations. One less person to count on means we are that much less likely to get the help we need when we need it, thus increasing our overall anxiety.

Finally, telling us to calm down is a more global condemnation of who we are and how we function. It does not recognize that anxiety has many adaptive components. Our senses are heightened, we are energized to act, and our worry is the beginning of our minds working on the problems we perceive.

Similarly, being told to globally calm down does not do justice to the fact that some people, in general, tend to be deeper, more active, and more intense thinkers. Those same people may also be creative, innovative, and effective at making changes in their life. In these cases, worry and anxiety are simply one expression of that more general activation. Thus, when we are told to calm down, it often feels like we are being told to shut our brains down in general, throwing out the good with the bad.

I have been thinking a lot about this issue since talking with Joe Mulherin, aka the musician nothing, nowhere on the Hardcore Humanism Podcast. During our discussion, Mulherin explained how his active mind was useful for writing songs but often caused stress when he contemplated deeper existential questions. Based in part on that discussion, it became clear that rather than telling others to “calm down,” we must flip the script and actually embrace anxiety—and particularly our worry—as a superpower that will enhance our problem-solving ability.

So how do we turn our worry into a superpower?

First and foremost, we must accept the notion that anxiety is inherently an adaptive emotion . It is designed to alert us to danger and give us the energy to manage the issue and find a solution. If we are anxious and worrying about something, there is a reason. There is something on the other end of that worry that we fear will be a negative outcome, or perhaps we fear the loss of a potentially positive outcome.

We gain nothing by ignoring that worry. If anything, it will only make our worry worse. We must listen to our body, mind, and emotions and resolve to identify and solve the problem we face. To be sure, sometimes that problem is simply that we tend to be a bit more amped up in general and need to manage our biology to soothe our racing minds. But often, we are worrying about something specific in the world around us. Either way, it behooves us to listen to our anxiety and worry rather than dismiss it.

Second, we must recognize that worry is only counterproductive if we feel shame about it, attempt to suppress it, and don’t use it as a force of “good” in our life. Think about how powerful and focusing worry is. It is something that breaks through our concentration on other issues and forces us to think solely about the topic of our worry. And we can worry for long periods of time as we struggle with our fears. Now, this can be unhelpful if we are worrying without focusing our attention on problem-solving. On the other hand, if we use the time that we spend worrying on finding a solution, the energy behind the worry will give us the strength and focus to address the issue we face.

Let’s take a situation that causes many people to feel anxious— public speaking . When we have a public speaking engagement, we may start to feel worried that we will somehow be evaluated in a negative way. Perhaps we are concerned we won’t seem competent and knowledgeable, be interesting or funny, or otherwise compelling. Worse, we may be afraid we’ll say something offensive.

If we are told by a well-intentioned colleague or friend to calm down or that we’ll do fine, we may listen to that feedback and suppress this internal debate. But if we listen to our anxiety and embrace our worry, a more productive process begins. We can identify not only the feared outcomes but also the areas where we feel we may want to think through and practice our talk. We may spend a couple of hours beforehand practicing our talk in the mirror or to other people. We may consider possible questions from the audience and how we would answer those questions. We may listen back to taped practices of our talk to hear how we sound. All of these problem-solving strategies will be motivated by worry and anxiety. But addressing our fear head-on will most likely produce a better and more effective talk.

Next, it is useful if we anticipate our worry and identify a specific process for dealing with worry through problem-solving. Everyone may have a nuanced way of problem-solving. But generally speaking, there are four useful steps that people can undertake: A) Recognize that we are anxious, B) determine why we are anxious, C) identify possible problem solving and coping strategies, and d) evaluate which strategies work best for us. If we use our anxiety and worry as an opportunity to address real problems in our life and hone our problem-solving skills, over time, we will be able to more quickly translate our fear into effective changes in our life.

And finally, we must seek out people who will nurture our superpower rather than try to shut it down. We can find people who we feel are helpful and understanding of our anxiety and worry and develop a process by which they can help us through a difficult time. This will help us not be concerned that our anxiety and worry will be met with insistence that we calm down, but rather be heartened that our anxiety and worry will be the beginning of an effective, solutions-oriented strategy to our lives.

So, guess what? We don’t need to calm down.

We need to embrace our worry as our new superpower.

You can listen to Dr. Mike's conversation with nothing, nowhere on the Hardcore Humanism Podcast on HardcoreHumanism.com or on your favorite podcast.

Michael Friedman, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist specializing in how social relationships influence mental and physical health.

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Science in School

Heroes and villains: the science of superheroes teach article.

Author(s): Mike Follows

Challenge your students to work out which exploits of comic-book heroes like Superman might actually be possible – given a miracle or two.

As a trained scientist, you probably enjoy applying your scientific knowledge to everyday topics, because of the insight this provides into how the world works – and the subtlety involved in deciding which principles to apply.

As a physics teacher, I wanted to allow my students a similar freedom to break out of the school curriculum for a while and consider the science in situations that are intrinsically interesting to them – if not exactly everyday. Prompted by the book The Physics of Superheroes ( Kakalios, 2009 ), I decided to try incorporating comic-book superheroes into my physics lessons to make the learning experience more engaging for students. The experiment was a success, and while my classes expressed a real enthusiasm for the topic, they also got down to work on some quite challenging science.

In this article, I describe some of the materials I used with my classes, including questions and worked answers, plus some background information on the superheroes themselves for those less acquainted with these colourful characters. These materials are suitable for students aged 16–19, or as a challenge for some able younger students. Discussions and calculations could occupy a class for an hour or longer.

What’s science got to do with it?

Superheroes can perhaps best be used in lessons as problem-solving examples, where real science is applied to the heroes’ proclaimed abilities to test how coherent these are, and what consequences follow logically from their supposed superpowers. As with any fiction, appreciating comic-book superheroes demands some suspension of disbelief. But for superheroes that are based on science fiction (as opposed to pure fantasy), if we grant them what James Kakalios calls one or more ‘miracle exceptions’, their powers may become plausible. For example, if we allow that Superman can leap tall buildings in a single bound, what does this tell us about the force of gravity on his home planet, Krypton? We will look at this question later.

Another possibility is to look at a specific superpower and use this as a context for describing or explaining science. Below I discuss some possibilities based on Marvel Comics’ X-Men characters, and also that most enduring superpower: invisibility.

X-Men and their superpowers

The X-Men team of superheroes was created in 1963 by Marvel Comics editor Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby. The X-Men are a mutant subspecies of human who are each born with a different superpower. Let’s look at some of the main characters.

• Charles Xavier, the leader of the X-Men , is also known as Professor X. Confined to a wheelchair, he has the superpower of telepathy. A class discussion on whether this is plausible could focus on the nature of nerve impulses, and the fact that brain activity involves ions moving within the neural network of our brains. This links to electromagnetism, as the moving ions constitute an electric current that generates a magnetic field, causing low-frequency electromagnetic waves to be radiated from the brains. In principle, it might be possible to ‘read’ someone’s mind – although how detailed this could ever be is an open question.
• Magneto, the arch-villain of the X-Men , is a mutant who can generate and control magnetic fields. This superpower provides an opportunity to introduce the different forms of magnetism: ferro-, para- and diamagnetism. The class could also look at how diamagnetism can produce levitation, and whether it would be possible to levitate a person (yes, if the magnet is strong enough: at least 40 tesla, which is some 40 times stronger than a junkyard magnet for lifting cars).
• Wolverine is a mutant with a powerful regenerative ability, known as the healing factor, and six retractable bone claws in his hands tipped with the indestructible material adamantium. This fictional metal alloy could prompt students to think about what an ‘indestructible’ material would be like. Materials have three basic mechanical properties: strong materials bear heavy loads; hard materials resist changing shape or being scratched; and tough materials resist fracturing, often by changing shape to absorb energy. For example, although spider silk is tough, it is not hard. While the covalent bonds within diamond make it extremely hard, it is not as tough. Students could be asked to research which real materials (natural or synthetic) excel in each of these properties and why, as well as what new, stronger materials are being developed.

The invisibility cloak

The idea of using a cloaking device to achieve invisibility was first suggested in a 1966 episode of Star Trek. Ask students to discuss: is this something that could actually be achieved? If so, how? What would need to happen for a cloak to make an object invisible? Perhaps ask students to draw ray diagrams that show how this could be achieved.

In principle, if light could be bent around an object, rather than reflected or refracted by it, the object could appear invisible. Metamaterials (real materials designed with properties that natural materials do not have) are now being developed to do just this, by allowing electromagnetic radiation to pass around a ‘cloaked’ object, like a river flowing around a rock. An observer looking at the cloaked object would then see light from behind it, making the object appear invisible. Although this approach shows promise, only tiny objects have been successfully cloaked so far.

Superman: an exercise in problem solving

Superheroes are a fruitful source of questions on the motion of projectiles and other physics topics. Superman made his debut in the first issue of Action Comics in 1938. Readers were informed that he could leap one-eighth of a mile (200 m) high, which can be used as a starting point for finding out other physical facts, if we add some plausible assumptions.

Below are some Superman questions for students to consider, along with their solutions.

1. If Superman jumps 200 m high, show that his launch speed is about 60 ms -1 .

There are two possible approaches to this problem: via an equation of motion or via energy conservation. Ask students to solve the problem using both approaches, as this is a good technique for checking answers. It also illustrates what professional physicists do – if alternative approaches give consistent answers, this provides confidence in the result.

Equation of motion approach

Equations of motion used in school physics are often called ‘suvat’ equations, as they involve the following quantities:

s = displacement

u = initial velocity

v = final velocity

a = acceleration

Remind students that, if Superman jumps vertically upwards, when he reaches his maximum height he will come to a momentary stop, so his final velocity v = 0 ms -1 . Assuming that upwards motion is positive, the values of the variables are:

v = 0 ms -1

a = -10 m -2 (acceleration due to gravity)

t = irrelevant

So the most suitable suvat equation is:

v 2 = u 2 + 2 as

Using the values we have, we can see that:

0 = u 2 + 2 (-10 x 200)

u = 63.2 ms -1

Energy conservation approach

We assume that, at the top of Superman’s jump, all kinetic energy has been transformed into gravitational potential energy. So:

1/2 mv 2 = mgh

where m is the mass of Superman, v is his launch speed and h is the height he gains above the ground.

Simplifying and substituting values gives:

2. When he jumps, what force would Superman experience pushing off from the ground?

Force, F, is defined as the rate of change of momentum, p . Momentum is the product of mass and velocity, so the rate of change in momentum is Superman’s mass m multiplied by his launch velocity v , divided by the time taken, t .

Let’s assume Superman has a mass of 100 kg. For t , a standard value for ‘push-off time’ often used in textbooks is 0.25 s.

This gives us the following equation:

3. If Superman can jump 200 m on Earth, what is the likely gravitational strength of his home planet, Krypton?

When most people jump, they can apply a force approximately equal to their standing weight. On Earth, Superman’s standing weight, W , is his mass, m , multiplied by the gravitational field strength , g (which is approximately 10 Nkg -1 ). Superman has (we assume) a mass of 100 kg, so:

W = 100 kg x 10 Nkg -1 = 1000 N

From the question above, we know that when Superman jumps, he applies a force of 2.53 x 10 4 N, suggesting that this is his weight on Krypton. This in turn suggests that the gravitational field on Krypton is some 25 times stronger than it is here on Earth.

Superman was physiologically adapted for life on Krypton, with its much higher gravitational field strength. On Krypton, he would have seemed average; on Earth, he appears to have superpowers.

4. What can we deduce about Krypton from its gravitation?

This question could be used as a simple introduction to mathematical modelling for students aged 16+. The strength of a planet’s gravitational field is proportional to its radius, if the density is uniform. Students can find this relationship themselves, given the equations for gravitational field strength, g = G m / r 2 , and for the volume of a sphere, V = 4/3p r 3 .

This means that if Earth and Krypton have similar density and the strength of Krypton’s gravitational field is 25 times stronger than that of Earth, then the radius of Krypton is also 25 times that of Earth’s.

From this we can draw conclusions about Krypton’s mass. Again, assuming uniform density, the mass of a planet is proportional to the cube of its radius. Thus, a 25-fold increase in the Earth’s radius would increase its mass by a factor of 25 3 = 1.56 x 10 4 .

Assuming a value of 5.97 x 10 24 kg for the mass of Earth, this means that the mass of Krypton would be:

5.97 x 10 24 kg x 25 3 = 9.33 x 10 28 kg

This is a mass some 15 000 times that of Earth, and around 50 times that of Jupiter. In fact, if Krypton were a gas planet (rather than a rocky planet like Earth), this would be just a little below the mass required to allow the thermonuclear fusion of hydrogen – the process that produces the Sun’s energy. So if Superman’s creators had made him a little more mighty, his home ‘planet’ could in fact have been a star.

Ant-Man and other scenarios

It’s possible to come up with many similar questions and scenarios based on comic-book characters to exercise students’ scientific imagination. For example, the Marvel character and biophysicist Dr Henry ‘Hank’ Pym discovers a chemical substance (Pym particles) that makes him shrink to the size of an insect, becoming Ant-Man. When Ant-Man gets sucked up by a vacuum cleaner, would he be able to punch his way out of the bag?

This question is really an exercise in scaling. The force with which someone can punch is proportional to the cross-sectional area of muscles in their arms. But because the force of Ant-Man’s punch and the area of his fist are both reduced by the same factor, the pressure he could exert on the paper bag would – perhaps surprisingly – be the same as that for Dr Pym.

Of course, this requires the ‘miracle exception’ of Dr Pym’s volume shrinking while all other attributes (including mass) are kept constant – a scenario that leads us into a completely different area of science: atomic structure. Which shows that, with a little imagination, superheroes can take you anywhere. Enjoy the journey!

• Kakalios J (2009) The Physics of Superheroes 2nd edition. New York, NY, USA: Gotham Books. ISBN: 1592405088
• Featonby D (2006) The Physics of Superheroes, By James Kakalios . Science in School 2 : 81.
• Gresh LH, Weinberg R (2002) The Science of Superheroes. Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley. ISBN: 0471024600
• Watch a video showing frogs being magnetically levitated .
• The website of the UK’s Institute of Physics .
• Invisibility shields one step closer with new metamaterials that bend light backwards , a press release from the University of Berkeley, USA .
• The student-run Journal of Special Physics Topics has papers on a huge range of fun, non-standard physics topics. Volume 14(1), for example, covers Superman, Santa and Cinderella .
• In entertaining videos, Kyle Hill describes and explains the science of superheroes .

Mike Follows teaches physics at King Edward’s School in Birmingham, UK. He has a PhD in ultralow-temperature physics, and he enjoys developing interesting ways of teaching physics to students, including finding unusual contexts (such as superheroes). He is also drawn to global issues and how physics helps to explain them – and might help solve them.

This teaching activity is ideal to show how the ‘superpowers’ of comic-book heroes and villains can be investigated (or proved to be impossible) using scientific facts. The article encourages teachers to look at the surreal adventures experienced by these characters from a new perspective. Some examples provide introductory exercises to use before starting a new topic, such as mechanics, magnetism, materials or light waves – or at the end of these same topics, so that the students can use their newly acquired scientific knowledge to theorise, predict and test whether such superpowers are remotely possible in real life.

Catherine Cutajar, St. Martin’s College, Malta

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Teaching Problem Solving Skills – The Ultimate Super Power!

by Maria Dismondy | Aug 3, 2020 | Character Traits

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“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

If you could help your child develop one significant super-power that would help them succeed, wouldn’t you? Whether you want your child to get into an Ivy League school, have great relationships, or just to be able to take care of the thousands of frustrating tasks that come with adulting, it’s the skill of PROBLEM SOLVING that will help them get there.

In a recent Harvard Business Review study about the skills that influence a leader’s success, problem-solving ranked third out of 16.

Our job as parents or teachers is not to solve everything for them —it is to teach them how to solve things themselves . Using their brains in this way is the crucial ability needed to become confident, smart, and successful individuals.

My dad, a veteran child psychologist, watched my son’s obsession with Superheroes during his toddler years. As he watched him idolize Spiderman and Superman, he realized there was room for another type of Superhero. Enter: NORMAL MAN . That’s right, my dad created a Superhero with the gift of “sensing confusion” and the ability to “solve problems” as he saw them arise in his community. My son LOVED it and bought right in. Goofy? Yes. Genius? I’d say!  My son fell for it and to this day, he has many (now teenager) friends who believe that NORMAL MAN, a problem solving Superhero, was a real guy who just didn’t quite make the cut in the Marvel Cartoons they watched and read about. 

Now what about tips to help your child become their very own NORMAL MAN (or WOMAN!)?

HERE ARE SOME SIMPLE WAY YOU CAN ENCOURAGE PROBLEM-SOLVING AT HOME

• Acknowledge children’s efforts, letting them know that what they are doing is important. Offer verbal support: “Look at all the different ways you’re trying to make that piece fit in your puzzle. You’re working hard to figure it out, aren’t you?” Remember too, that just by sitting quietly next to a child, you can communicate: “I understand what you’re doing, and I know it’s important.”

FREEBIE ALERT: We have lots to be grateful for, even during these times. Download our free THANK YOU CARDS today for your family to share their appreciation!

• Ask your kids for advice when you have a problem . This teaches them that it’s common to make mistakes and face challenges. It also gives them the opportunity to practice problem – solving skills. Plus, when you indicate that their ideas are valued, they’ll gain the confidence to attempt solving problems on their own. 
• Ask age appropriate questions : For smaller children, ages 3 through 5, you could ask them to “show me the hard part,” allowing them to narrow down their frustration. For a 5 through 7 year old, ask “how could we work together to solve this?” For an older child, say 8 through 11 years, you could ask them to put their problem on paper and listen to them process a solution.

Instead of giving up or getting frustrated when they encounter a challenge, kids will learn to manage their emotions, think creatively and learn persistence.  Isn’t that exactly what we want our children to do when they someday leave the nest?

Looking for some books that encourage problem solving? Check out our latest blog sharing some awesome book recommendations!

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Sarah Cavanaugh is a Marketing, PR and Communications Specialist with over 25 years of experience writing, building effective marketing campaigns, and creating brand awareness. Sarah can usually be found walking her neighborhood, drinking coffee and watching Saturday Night Live skits on YouTube. She lives with her two active teens and husband in Grand Rapids. Find her at www.CavanaughCommunications.com .

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#Take5 #52: The best way to … generate ideas?

Using superheroes for structured problem solving and ideas generation

The week’s #Take5 blog is brought to you from Dr Katharine Jewitt, a Learning Designer at Heriot-Watt University. The Superheroes ideas generation techniques were designed by Grossman and Catlin to provide a playful group atmosphere during idea generation. Students work in groups and assume the identity of different Superhero characters and then use the characters as stimuli for sparking ideas and problem solving. ‘Superheroes’ produces unique ideas because of its use of unrelated stimuli. This activity also works well in a diverse classroom because students can adopt a superhero of their choice and discuss the qualities of superheroes. This offers opportunities for students to share among themselves about culture, origins, backgrounds, values and unique differences. It’s an effective way to demonstrate respect for cultural diversity and makes for rich discussion. (Hopefully the superhero pictures below will appear in the blog – and be reassured – the author has a license to use them.)

Superman has X-ray vision, super hearing, can fly, and is the strongest man on earth. When not on duty, he is disguised as mild-mannered newspaper reporter, Clark Kent. He can be weakened only by Kryptonite, a leftover rock from his birth planet, Krypton. Superman is faster than a speeding bullet and is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. He can fly, he has heat vision, super breath that can be used to freeze things as well as blow them! He can’t see through lead with his X-ray vision though.

Batman and Robin

Batman and his sidekick Robin, The Boy Wonder, are first-rate detectives who always manage to outwit the most sinister criminals. They have at their disposal an assortment of “Bat” paraphernalia, such as a Batmobile, Batplane, Batcycle, Batrollerskates, and Batrope. Barman’s alter ego is millionaire Bruce Wayne. He and Robin live in the Wayne Mansion that is built over the Bat Cave.

Wonder Woman

Picture: Wonderwoman

Wonder Woman is a truly liberated woman. With extraordinary strength, agility, and all-around athletic ability, she easily can overpower the most powerful person. With her magic bracelets, she even can deflect bullets shot at her. And, with her magic lasso, she can rope almost anything. When wrapped around someone, her lasso always causes that person to tell the truth. On occasion, she flies her own airplane, which is invisible.

Captain America

Captain America represents the ultimate in All-American ideals (truth, justice, apple pie, and mom). With his winning personality he usually has no trouble persuading others to see his viewpoint. The captain also is known for his positive outlook on life and his great strength and athletic skills. If all of these attributes are not enough protection, he also has a Captain America shield that can protect him from any harm.

Dr. Strange tries to live up to his name. As a skilled magician and sorcerer, he can create numerous illusions. He also is able to cure sicknesses, control people and situations, and change one thing into something else. Another strange thing about Dr. Strange is that he is afflicted with temporary lapses of concentration.

E.Man, whose most distinctive feature is his unlimited supply of energy, can take on any form he wishes. However, once he assumes a form, he is affected by its weaknesses. His favourite sleeping place is a toaster.

Nova Kane is the female counterpart to E-Man. She previously worked as an exotic dancer.

Spiderman, or “Spidey” as he is affectionately known by his fans, can walk on ceilings and walls. With his ever-present web, he can swing through the air as well as capture bad guys. Spiderman also has a unique ability to detect any dangerous situation before it affects him.

Mr Fantastic

Mr. Fantastic is the smartest man in the world and, although no logical correlation is involved, he can stretch his body to any length. He is a very flexible person.

Invisible Girl

Invisible Girl, as her name implies, can make herself and other people and things invisible. She also can make people and things reappear. When in danger, she creates an invisible shield which protects her from all harm.

The Human Torch

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Description

Problem Solving is a social skill that has to be taught and practiced. Often kids are quick to ask an adult to solve their problems and too often the adult sends them back to figure it out themselves. But what if we could give kids strategies that they could use as a filter to figure out how to solve their problems?

In this unit, kids work through 4 strategies which they can easily remember using the acronym HERO. Kids will learn when to ask for HELP, ESCAPE, REWORD, and OVERLOOK things to solve their problems.

This unit includes:

★ Instructional story

★ Personalized fill-in-the-blank story

★ Strategy Poster

★ Behavior Contract

★ "I got caught" Problem Solving Coupons

★ Award certificate

★ Application Worksheets

Table of Contents:

Page 1: Unit Cover

Pages 2-11: Instructional Story

Pages 12-22: Personalized fill-in-the-blank Story

Page 23: Strategy Poster

Page 24: Draw Your Own Super Hero Application Worksheet

Page 25: What do I do with this Problem? Application Worksheet

Page 26: When to be a Hero Application Worksheet

Page 27: Reflection Form

Page 28: "I Got Caught" Reward Coupons

Page 29: Behavior Contract

Page 30: Award Certificate

Page 31: Recommended Products

Page 32: Thanks and Credits

Recommendations for using this unit:

• Instructional story – Print, insert into sleeve protectors, and keep in a 3-ring binder. Use comb binding for a thinner book. Read as a class or family so everyone is on the same page.
• Personalized story – This is intended to be used AFTER the instructional story. For younger children with shorter attention spans you might consider doing this version a few hours later but not longer than 24 hours. For some of the more extensive writing activities, we recommend an adult act as a scribe allowing the child to focus on processing their thoughts.
• S trategy poster – laminate and post in a visible place (refrigerator, playroom, bedroom door, etc.) Print 2 or 4 to a page to create "take-along" cards. Share with all your child's teachers, therapists, counselors, and caretakers so everyone can stay on the same page.
• I got caught coupons, Behavior Contract, Award Certificate - These tools are great for motivation, data collection, and in a behavior intervention plan.
• Reflection Forms - use ask a group discussion guide, individual thinking guide, or an informal assessment.

More SOCIAL STORIES:

→ Use the Power of Words to Solve Problems instead of Hitting, Kicking, Biting, or Pulling Hair

→ Sizing Up My Problems

→ I am so Frustrated - ELEMENTARY

→ Self Control Bundle

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29 Problem Solving Products That Deserve To Be In The Avengers Because They Literally Save The Day

Thor's hammer and the ChomChom are equally as powerful, tbh.

BuzzFeed Staff

1. A rechargeable  nail grinder  because you and your furniture are tired of getting scratched by your dog's overgrown nails. It's extra quiet, which is perfect for pooches who tend to get spooked by regular clippers.

Promising review: "I have an aging 85 lb. American bulldog with bad joints who, because of Covid and stairs, I can no longer take to groomer. Her nails are too thick to clip without risk of splitting, and I was horrified at the thought of causing her more pain by clipping. This grinder was quiet and she got used to it almost immediately. Her nails are too big to fit in the safety cover so I just used it without that feature and it was perfect. Highly recommend watching the video first but it sure saved the day here. My dog and I are very grateful for such a great product." — Kristen G.  

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in six colors).

2. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel so you can quickly remove years' (I repeat, YEARS') worth of hard calluses without endless scraping and scrubbing. 

Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let sit for 5–10 minutes, and rinse! It's recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind.

Promising review: "I have the driest heels and this is the ONLY product that has ever worked . Before I used this my heels had some pretty deep cracks and now they're almost baby soft again . BUT please follow the directions... left it on my super-dry thick-callused heels for only three minutes and the callouses were literally melting off ! Wonderful product! So glad I don't have to go soak my feet in those tubs at the nail salon anymore." — Kiki

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 .

3. A pair of thick fleece-lined joggers for perpetually cold snuggle-bugs searching for an incognito wearable blanket. And you thought sweatpants couldn't get any cozier!   

Most reviewers recommend sizing up! AND you can snag a matching fleece-lined zip-up hoodie here .

Promising review: "If you're thinking about buying these, DO IT. They are thick thigh–approved!! They fit and feel amazing. The inside is so soft and cozy but they still have some stretch to them." — Cecilia

Get it from Amazon for $36.99+  (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and nine colors).

4. A beloved tub of TikTok-famous  pink cleaning paste  that'll preform small cleaning miracles on virtually any surface in your home without endless, abrasive scrubbing. Try it out on those "forever" stains that just won't budge. 

Promising review: "This stuff is amazing!! Buy it!! I never leave reviews, but holy cow this stuff works! Used it to clean permanent marker off my cabinets, grease off my stove, inside the microwave, and I just opened it 10 minutes ago. Love love love!" — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $5.29+  (available in three sizes).

5. A lil' polar bear hydrating eye stick  if your puffy, aching eyes feel like cinderblocks in the morning they're so heavy. Kickstart your routine with sweet, sweet relief thanks to this hydrating formula, which is blended with Iceland glacial water to help relieve puffiness, tighten skin, and tackle dark circles. 

Promising review: "As I have gotten older, I definitely have bags under my eyes. I'm Asian, so I also have pads underneath that tend to retain water. NOTHING WORKED...tried it all, creams, massage, caffeine treatments, etc. THIS WORKS. I don't know how, but the bags are gone and the skin is much tauter! Doesn't disrupt my eye makeup, easy to use. LOVE THIS." — Grace  

Get it from Amazon for $6.83  (available in blue and pink). 

6. A pack of biodegradable foaming drain-cleaning pouches to effortlessly take care of all the out-of-sight grime clogging (and stinking) up your garbage disposal.

Promising review: "My disposal developed a bad odor and all the usual remedies failed to eliminate it. I bought the Glisten disposal cleaner not expecting it to work. It worked exactly as shown in the video and the bad odor disappeared after one application. I intend to use it once every two weeks in the future. I am very pleased to have found this product. I was on the verge of replacing the disposal which was otherwise working fine." — Errol Levine

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8 . 

7. A painless, mint-flavored teeth-whitening pen  because traditional strips are tough to use, expensive, and can leave you with teeth sensitivity that is, in my professional opinion, NO fun. With this pen you can get quick results. And the best part? No lingering sensitivity. 

Promising review: "I bought this on a whim when I saw someone review it on TikTok. After using it several times over the course of a week, I immediately noticed the difference in the color of my teeth. I'm a smoker and a heavy coffee drinker. I'm finding that this product will be a lifesaver in terms of what my smile looks like. I would definitely recommend!!" — Mully

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $18.95 .

8. A set of silicone food savers  so when the recipe only calls for half a lime, you can easily save the other half without turning to plastic wrap only to have it get all weird and hard in your fridge, anyway. 

Food Huggers  is a woman-owned small biz founded by two friends trying to cut down on both food and plastic waste in the kitchen. 

Promising review: "I love these! I have my own and just gave my mom a set when she noticed them. I love being able to reuse the huggers and reduce the use of other materials, like foil or plastic wrap." — Michelle L.

Get a five-piece set from Amazon for $17.99 (available in five color combos).

9. A hydrating  snail mucin-repairing essence  for soothing *all* skin types (reviewers love how gentle it is) with the potential to help heal acne scars, fade dark spots, and smooth fine lines...all for under $20!! 

Promising review: " I LOVE THIS SO MUCH. I was literally crying about how awful my skin was not even a month ago and then when it started going viral on TikTok I decided to buy it and wow. Just wow. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, has worked for my skin all throughout my life, and I started getting pimples when I was around the age of eight. It’s improved my skin in only three days I love it so much! I’m so thankful it went viral." — Vanessa  

Get it from Amazon for $16.25 . 

10. A pair of heavy-duty escape tracks  that are a lifesaver when your parked car greets you with spinning tires thanks to copious snow.  No pushing or towing required thanks to "teeth" that'll help your car gain traction and get moving. 

Maxsa is a family-owned small business on a missions to create products that make people's live's easier, including auto accessories, home electronics, replacement parts, and more. 

Promising review: "Bought these a few months ago and have since used them twice in a situation where I had gotten stuck; both were in deep snow and they did their job and held up fine. Definitely happy with my purchase and would buy again" — Josh Newland

Get them from Amazon for $129.95+ (available in four styles and in three colors).

11. A patented  ChomChom pet hair remover  if Fido's shedding is taking over your home and you're sick of lugging out the vacuum every three seconds. This uses bristles, not sticky tape, to catch lint meaning you can clean and reuse it over and over and over again.

ChomChom Roller   is a Massachusetts-based small biz creating an eco-friendly, reusable alternative to sticky lint rollers. 

Promising reviews:  " TikTok made me buy this and it is money well spent!!  I’m convinced that my beagle sheds a full coat of hair and regrows it daily! I use this on my bed every single day and it blows my mind how well it works.  Before this I was going through four to five disposable sticky rollers a month and spending three times longer to remove dog hair.  I am buying these for everyone in my family as Christmas gifts this year! ❤️" — tiff4short

Get it from Amazon for  $22.99+  (available in two colors). 

12. A bleach-free Wet & Forget shower cleaner  to not only clean but prevent  soap scum buildup with minimal effort. Once a week, simply give your shower a spray, let it sit overnight, rinse, and — BOOM — you're done and didn't even break a sweat.

Promising review: "Wet & Forget for SHOWERS…I will never be without this product. Clean your shower or bathtub, and spray this on. Wait a week, then spray again, and each week, and you will never have to clean your tub or shower again!!! I’ve used this product since it came out...So convenient to store and quick to pull out and quickly spray down when you get out of the shower. Will NEVER be without it!!! " — Peggy J. Simmons

Get it from Amazon for $20.98+  (available in two scents and two sizes).

13. A UV-free  sunlight therapy lamp because less daylight can take a toll on your mental health, and a little sun simulation can go a long way toward helping you not feel so utterly drained before, during, and after the workday.

Read more about how light therapy can potentially help with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) from Cleveland Clinic . 

Promising review: "I was extremely skeptical if this light would do anything. I live in the Chicago area where during the winter we often do not get any sun. After about 10 days passed with no sun, I felt like I needed something to make me feel better. After using it for a few days now I actually do feel better and I had VERY low expectations that it would do anything. I'm pleasantly surprised and highly suggest it. It's small and sits on my desk, and is very easy to work." — Jeff S. Katz

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four colors).

14. A box of  Mighty Patch pimple patches  containing hydrocolloid so you can stop that zit dead in its tracks with gunk-absorbing powers that speed up the pimple healing process. The sticker format can also help prevent you from any habitual picking or popping. 

Promising review: " I am an older millennial who suffers from adult acne because I can’t stop touching my face throughout the day. I’m usually sitting with my hand on my chin or cheek, so I break out. I also never leave my pimples alone to heal. These little things are amazing. I will put one of them on a pimple overnight, and in the morning, the pimple is completely flat. It heals so fast. These have become a staple in my life. I highly recommend them." — Stella  

And check out BuzzFeed Shopping editor  Amanda Davis 's full  Mighty Patch review  for more info!

Get a pack of 36 from Amazon for $11.97 .

15. A plug-in  multicat calming diffuser kit  for restoring harmony to your once peaceful feline domain. If you've recently welcomed a new cat to the household, or a life change has caused recent behavior changes, this drug-free solution mimics a mother cat’s natural nursing pheromones to help calm tensions and stimulate social contact. 

This starter kit gets you the diffuser head and one vial of Feliway; refills are also available on Amazon. Keep in mind that this shouldn't replace standard protocol for new cat introductions like keeping them separate for a while, doing smell introductions first, etc. 

Promising review : " I can’t express enough how much this has changed mine and my cats' lives. Merging two households wasn’t easy on the cats. One male cat had a hard time moving into a new house with new pets. He had terrible behavior problems and would cause us and the other cats a lot of stress... We tried everything the vet suggested to reduce theses incidences, but getting Feliway was the only thing that worked. He is a completely different cat now. He is calm and his outbursts rarely happen. He has become a couch cat and has turned into the sweetest boy. The other cats aren’t stressed anymore and neither are we...It definitely has more of an affect on the male cats than the female. If you aren’t noticing a difference with one diffuser I would suggest getting a second . We couldn’t believe that this one product could fix everything, but it did ...If your cats are having any behavior problems or stress please try this!" — Kristine Spencer

Get it from Amazon for $18.99 . 

16. A pack of two dark spot corrector soap bars  that are packed with all the skin-loving good stuff (vitamin C, turmeric, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and MORE) to help even out skin and diminish dark spots wherever you need it. 

Promising review:  "So I initially started using another kojic acid soap to help with my hyperpigmentation due to shaving my face because I have PCOS and have developed hirsutism. I’m usually a 'full face of makeup at all times' kind of girl because of my insecurities but this soap has given me a new confidence. I used it for the first time Saturday night and instantly saw the results of this soap. My skin looks so much more even. " — Adrienne Jerkins

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.99 .

17. A variety pack of LED light–blocking stickers if your alarm clock isn't just waking you up, but keeping you up. These peel-and-stick dimmers are great for reducing harsh light from digital clocks, routers, chargers, and more!

Promising review: "Simple but perfect. I recently mounted my TV to the wall and now directly below it is my TiVo box. The red and green lights are bright and occasionally distracting. After applying these, I can still see the lights (so I know when it is recording) but they are a lot dimmer now and way less distracting. Thanks for a great product. I’ve also used these on a bedroom TV that had a bright red light when it was off. Couldn’t sleep because it bothered me. LightDims saved the day there too. " — RandomReviewer

Get 100 stickers from Amazon for $4.39 .

18. A box of waterproof medicated pads you apply like bandages to finally force out the wart living rent-free under your skin.

Promising review: "I had a stubborn wart on my right thumb that has been there for almost a year. Went to the doctor the first time to freeze it, but it didn't completely remove the wart so I decided to try the gel. The gel helped but not for too long and the wart came back (in a couple of days). Long story short, I got these medicated Band-Aids and the results are incredibly satisfying. Used these Band-Aids every day for a week and the next week, my wart is gone. So far, it's been a week after and I haven't noticed any growth. Highly recommend!" — J

Get a pack of 14 from Amazon for $7.29 .

19. A pack of dishwasher-cleaning tablets because (to my shock and horror) you have to clean the thing that cleans your dishes, and these tablets make doing so as quick and easy as...well...running the dishwasher.

Promising review: "This stuff is amazing! I used it in my dishwasher. Had standing water on the bottom, dropped one tablet in the water. Put it on light wash cycle and at the end of the cycle, the water was gone! It thoroughly cleans and I have not had any other problems. I now use it regularly. I recommend this highly to keep your dishwasher clean and eliminate clogs from buildup. It was recommended to me by my super and after my positive experience I am happy to cosign his recommendation." — cheapchicshopper

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $8.95 .

20. A versatile  chop, slice, and dice unit  so you can drastically *cut* down on food prep and cleanup time with interchangeable blades that can each be popped into the dishwasher. Never chop an onion by hand ever again? Yes, please!! 

Promising review: " OMG, how many days did I cry while cutting onions? Never again after getting this product. I cut onions, peppers, potatoes, and many more within seconds. It’s amazing. I tried using it to cut tomatoes, but I guess it works better to cut solid items, not tomatoes or anything that gets smashed easily. I might never be able to live without it anymore!!! Approved and recommended. 👍🏽" — Oscar Salas

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+  (available in three colors and in bundles of more chopping tools).

21. A roll-on blister-preventing balm for when you've got new booties to break in, but zero time to waste limping around because of painful blisters. 

Promising review:  "My family goes to Disney World every year, and even with rotating shoes every other day, we still get blisters. I bought this before our trip two months ago, and it was worth every penny. We rubbed it all over the top, bottom, sides of our feet and toes each morning, and our feet did not blister! I highly recommend this product for long Disney days or any time you will be on your feet for a long period of time." — Cari Sanders

Get it from Amazon for  $8.99 .

22. A sleek touch-less forehead thermometer  with an intuitive design that you'll want around whenever anyone in your house starts feeling a bit off. It delivers a quick and quiet reading so you can get in, take your kid's temperature, and get out before they even have a chance to cut naptime short. 

Promising review: "This is a game changer for our medicine cabinet!!! Works so fast and is much easier than having to put a thermometer under the tongue, etc. especially helpful with a baby and young child!!" — R L

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+  (available in white and black).

23. A set of set Shark Tank -approved  Wad-Free tools  if you're tired of laundry day getting derailed by tangled bedsheets. These help maintain a balanced washer drum, reduce dry times, and prevent wet clothes from getting trapped in the sheets. 

Wad-Free is a small biz that was launched during the pandemic by Cyndi Bray, who had a wadding problem and no available solutions. So they did what anyone would do (JK) — learned CAD (computer-aided design) and invented a genius solution! 

Promising review: "Wow!!! You wonder if things like this really work and, well, I can absolutely confirm it does! First, I was impressed that the package came with two of the devices because I was only expecting one. So there was one for the fitted sheet, and the flat sheet. Finally, I tried it out and my sheets not only did NOT wad up, they came out of the dryer feeling fresher, feeling more dry, and unwrinkled! I will be buying a set of these for each of my immediate family members and close friends! What a great gift!!!" — katy

Get a pair from Amazon for $19.99 .

24. A mess-free indoor bug trap  because somehow these teeny tiny insects are proving to be a massive distraction. This zap-free gadget uses a UV light and a powerful fan to attract bugs and a built-in glue trap to keep them out of sight. 

Promising review: "Get this!! We live in Louisiana and we’re having a terrible time with mosquitoes coming into our house. They would attack our kids at night. The first night we used this we caught 16!!!!!! It’s now a part of our routine to turn a sound machine on and then this misquote catcher for our kids at night. Next month it will be a year that we have had this. We now only caught one or two a week since this is not even giving them a chance to breed. I’m ordering another for my bedroom since I do not dare take the kids from their rooms." — Amazon Customer 

Get it from Amazon for $40.99 (available in black and white). 

25. A pair of noise-reduction earplugs  for quieting surrounding noises without impacting your ability to hear them, so you can take the edge off overwhelming noise pollution. It's a great option for anyone with auditory sensitivities that make sustained focus or relaxation difficult.

The earplugs also come with a carrying case and eight different ear tips (XS–L) to ensure the perfect fit.

Promising review: "These earplugs are awesome. I can have them in all day, and they are so comfortable. They have changed my life honestly. I am very sensitive to certain noises, which is very stressful. However, these earplugs are great. They drown out the annoying noises. I can still have conversations with people and listen to music and watch TV without being overwhelmed by background noise! Also by people eating! I also think that they have improved my focus a lot too. When I have them in, my brain isn't distracted by what's going on in the background , so I can focus better on what's in front of me." — Oana

Get it from Amazon for $34.95 (available in seven colors). A super-soft silicone version is also available for $28.95 (available in five colors).

26. An all-in-one pancake batter dispenser with a blender ball inside that makes it easy to mix, pour, and store batter all in one easy-to-manage receptacle. More pancakes *and* fewer dishes? Dreams really do come true.

Promising review: "I LOVE MY PANCAKE BOTTLE MIXER!!! Best money I've ever spent on a kitchen item for sure!! It cuts cooking and preparation time by half!! Seriously! And cleaning it is so easy!! A drop of dish soap, some warm water, shake it up, open it, scrub the tip and lid, and rinse it — that's all!!!" — Veronica Portillo

Get it from Amazon for $13.60+  (available in white and mint). 

27. A roll-on migraine stick packed with cooling essential oils if you're looking for added relief from painful headaches that's compact enough to put in a purse or pocket!

Read more about aromatherapy and stress and tension at  Johns Hopkins .

Promising review: "So easy to use and carry with you. In fact, get several and have them with you at home, or wherever is handy. This is the holy grail of migraine relief. Very little is needed. I roll on temples, by ears, above eyebrows, below cheekbones, back of neck, and base of skull. I use this anytime I need. No offensive odor. Better than any medications that are prescribed or OTC. Very good with sinus congestion also." — c.b.

Read BuzzFeed's Migrastil migraine stick review for more deets!

Get it from Amazon for $12.95 .

28. A non-aerosol  dry shampoo powder  packed in a travel-friendly compact because it'll help prolong wash day and revive greasy locks so you can basically roll right out of bed and into the office and STILL have coworkers complimenting your fabulous hair. 

Promising review: "I am so glad I gave this product a try, as it works amazingly well on my fine, oily hair. I have used just about every dry shampoo product on the market, and this is by far the best one yet . My hair looks beautiful, and I can now go nearly a week without washing (while still having absolutely gorgeous hair)! I used to have to wash my hair every other day when I was using my former favorite dry shampoo (and it made my scalp itch on day two). This product is definitely worth a try, it may soon be your favorite!" — Melanie Havert

Get it from Amazon for $18 . 

29. A set of pant waist extenders  so you can reunite with your favorite pair of too-snug pants. With these, your jeans and trousers can gain up to 2 inches so weight gain, a medical procedure, or early pregnancy doesn't mean saying goodbye to your go-to styles.

Comfy Clothiers is a a small business that launched in 2015 with the mission to help people dress their best while staying as comfortable as possible in the process. 

The set includes five fabric pants button extenders, five fabric hook-and-eye extenders, and three denim jeans waist extenders in a variety of colors.

Promising review: "Got these for some dress pants that I didn't quite fit into anymore. It saved the day! Clips right onto the existing tab, stayed out all day, and was not visible behind my belt/buckle." — A. Craig

Get a a multipack from Amazon for $10.99 .

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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Positive superhero play

by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team | Updated: May 16, 2022

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At your child’s preschool, a boy emerges from his “bat cave” ready to combat evil. Sound familiar? Superhero play is an everyday occurrence in numerous preschool classrooms. But many parents wonder if the violent behavior of superheroes in television and film negatively influences a child’s social development. Experienced teachers know that superhero play is inevitable and can provide a valuable opportunity for young children to learn about helping others.

Why the interest in super-abilities?

Preschoolers learn that words and actions have meaning. Pretending to be a superhero is one way for them to feel as powerful as adults. “This type of play allows children to feel in control and invincible at a time when developmentally they might be feeling just the opposite,” says Erica Pelavin, an individual and family therapist in Palo Alto, Calif. It also involves moving their bodies in vigorous ways such as jumping, running and chasing.

Girls and superhero play

Preschool-age girls also engage in superhero play, though typically with less rough-and-tumble behavior than their male classmates. Through verbal interaction with their peers, girls use fantasy scenarios to explore different roles and feelings of power. Girls engaged in superhero play may be less physical but require the same responsiveness from their teachers to reinforce positive values.

How superhero play supports learning

The line between fantasy and reality is momentarily blurred when a preschooler pretends to escape a villain by climbing a spider web, but he is still learning an important lesson. Young kids become familiar with the concepts of goodness and fairness and act out these themes through play. Preschool teachers and parents can help kids distinguish between powerful behavior that hurts individuals and actions that benefit others. Pelavin stresses, “Helping children to find their own positive superheroes and talking about their attributes can be a wonderful starting point. Parents and teachers can explain that true superheroes solve problems without violence. True superheroes are the people who are courageous and do things to help others.”

Pretending to be a Power Ranger or Buzz Lightyear is also an opportunity for preschoolers to try on different personalities. While they may be intimidated to share their ideas on their own, as superheroes kids may find it easier to express differing opinions. Pelavin adds, “By taking on another persona, the child can practice responding positively to fearful and anxiety-producing situations, such as teasing and bullying. Often kids disclose aspects of themselves that they might not reveal without this type of fantasy play.”

Kids engaged in superhero play use their imagination and learn to work well with others. Teachers can take advantage of this opportunity to support creative learning by setting up art materials and encouraging students to make props, costumes, and sets. Working with peers supports developing skills in cooperation, negotiation and compromise. The job for preschool teachers is to make sure this play is productive and fun for everyone and has strict boundaries so that all participants feel safe.

Recognizing the red flags

Superhero play that gets out of hand can promote aggressive behavior. Does it glorify violence and the use of weapons in the name of power? Could preschool children, not knowing their own physical limits, hurt a child in the process of this kind of play?

“Superhero play only becomes a concern when the play is physically aggressive in nature, and there is an imbalance of power between the children who are engaging in the play,” says Pelavin. Kids typically seek out playmates with similar interests and physical abilities, but a bully could assert power and control over another child. Pelavin continues, “When superhero play becomes aggressive, parents have an opening to talk about the consequences of violence. Parents can help children learn that responding with aggression not only causes physical injuries but can make children feel afraid or angry and may even cause the aggressor to lose friends. When the play turns away from problem solving and rescuing and starts to include name-calling and exclusion, it is no longer beneficial.”

Tips to support positive superhero play

• Establish rules from the start. For example, no pointing sticks or other props used as weapons directly at another person. These rules may need to be discussed several times. Listen to feedback. Kids can find creative ways to satisfy their interests while following directions and being safe. • Be specific about what aggressive behavior is. Is it touching another person’s body? Is it using hostile language? • Respond accordingly either by interrupting the play to stop aggressive behavior or talking about it afterward. The discussion can also address the story created, children who felt excluded and interesting twists and turns in the plot. • Make sure there is an appropriate amount of space for safe play. Outdoor spaces work well, if possible. • Talk to the kids about real-life heroes, both male and female, and focus on their positive characteristics — for example, helpfulness, perseverance and diligence. • Ask a local hero, such as a firefighter or police officer, to visit the preschool classroom. Some children may be frightened or shy at first, especially if the visitor arrives in full uniform. Emphasize that this real-world superhero is also a neighbor and parent — in your community. • Use this play as an opportunity to build problem-solving skills. When there is an issue, resist resolving it for the children. Ask for their ideas. • Be positive. Acknowledge children’s new accomplishments and skills. Help them feel powerful.

Kids have been imitating larger-than-life characters since the days before television. With careful observation and feedback from preschool teachers and parents, superhero play can be a fun way for children to develop their own capabilities while learning about helping others.

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