Thinking · Problem-finding
15 min · pencil
★★☆
5 Whys ladder
Scan for the app
Ask “why?” 5 times to dig down to a deeper cause. Late for school → why? Woke up late → why? Went to bed late → why? Reading under the covers!
- Write your problem on the top line. Ask “why?” and write the answer in box 1.
- Ask “why?” each time. Box 5 may show a deeper cause; check that it fits.
Grown-up corner
Why it matters: Fixing the first problem we see often doesn’t last. Asking why helps kids find the root cause.
- Was the last answer a surprise?
- What is one small fix for the deeper cause?
Extend it: Try the 5 Whys on something at home that keeps going wrong.
My brain felt: ☐ easy ☐ just right ☐ stretchy
One thing I learned: ________________________
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