Parents and teachers both agree on the importance of teaching children problem solving skills. We have all heard the horror stories of an 18-year-old high school senior that cannot go on a job interview or address their teacher with a concern without mom or dad being there. Do you want that to be your child? I didn’t think so. Follow these steps to encourage effective problem solving skills.
Step 1: Don’t Be a Helicopter Parent
I know we’ve heard it all before but it’s true. How can you expect your child to grow on their own if they never are on their own? Give your kid some space to make mistakes. They will want to solve problems on their own if they are given the chance.
Step 2: Be Imaginative at Play Time
From building doll houses and Legos to pillow forts and sandcastles, allowing children to express themselves through hands-on play time is a great way to learn problem solving skills. What would happen if the sheet doesn’t stretch over all the couch cushions? How can I make this sand castle better than the last one? These are the types of question your child will ask and solve on their own without realizing it. They will be extremely proud of their solution as you should be.
Step 3: Offer Different Solutions
Present decision making as a new normal. Ask your child if they want spaghetti or hamburgers for dinner. Ask them if they want to go to the park or the pool. Making these decisions a part of a reward system will let your child feel they have more control of their life as well as make some of the more difficult chores easier.
Step 4: Building Together
Doing a few DIY (do-it-yourself) projects with your child is a great way to build problem solving skills. When your child sees you problem solve they are more inclined to be a problem solver themselves. Try these great DIY projects for kids.
Step 5: Know the Problem Solving Steps
Knowing and teaching these five steps is critical to teaching your children to be problem solvers
- Identify the Problem: I keep missing the school bus
- Develop possible solutions: I can get up earlier, I can pack my lunch the night before, I can get my clothes ready before I go to bed, I can make sure my homework is done before I go to bed
- Identify the pros and cons of each solution
- Pick a solution: I will pack my lunch the night before
- Test it
If the solution your child picked works, fantastic! They have effectively solved their problem. If not, simply pick another solution until they find one that works.
Step 6: Allow Your Kids to Fail
It’s okay if they do not succeed right away or the first time. It is how they learn. You cannot and should not always fix your child’s problems. By coming in and saving the day, you are taking away the essential part of problem solving – knowing if and how a solution works.
Step 7: Ask Your Kids for Help
When you ask your kids for help you are telling them two things. One, that you value their opinion and respect their ability to problem solve. The second lesson you teach them is that everyone needs help sometimes and it is okay to ask for it.
Sourced through:
https://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/
https://www.allprodad.com/10-ways-to-teach-your-children-to-be-problem-solvers/
https://www.verywellfamily.com/teach-kids-problem-solving-skills-1095015
