News Blog

Children encounter challenges daily, whether resolving a disagreement over a toy, solving a mathematical problem they’ve never seen before, or dealing with the challenges of friendships. As parents, it is so tempting to step in and solve these problems for them; I mean, they are babies. However, doing so robs our children of valuable learning experiences. Instead, our role as parents and teachers should be to guide them toward becoming independent problem solvers.

Children who develop problem-solving skills are better equipped to manage their emotions, think creatively, and persevere through difficulties. These skills foster resilience and self-confidence, empowering children to navigate life's inevitable ups and downs. Nevertheless, this is much easier said than done.

Regardless of age, Ashley Cullins from the Big Life Journal introduces us to some core strategies that help children develop problem-solving skills and abilities:

1. Model Problem-Solving in Everyday Life:

When faced with a challenge, articulate your thought process. Showing how to break a problem into steps teaches children that making mistakes is normal and part of the learning journey.

2. Ask for Their Advice:

Showing children their opinions matters is important to them, so involve them in your decision-making. “What would you do?” This question promotes critical thinking and helps your child build confidence in their problem-solving abilities. It also demonstrates that it is okay to ask for help.

3. Encourage Effort Over Immediate Answers:    

This is by far the most difficult! Yet, allow your children to struggle and work through problems independently before stepping in. We constantly reiterate to children that ‘mistakes help us learn.’ Growth comes from trial and error, not immediate solutions.

As our children grow up, their cognitive abilities and the nature of their challenges evolve. Therefore, it is essential that we adapt their problem-solving techniques to their developmental stages. This approach ensures that they build the necessary skills at each stage of their lives.

I’m not by any means saying that this is the panacea; still here are a few age-and-stage examples:

Age 3 – 5 Building Foundations Through Play and Emotion Coaching

• Try and encourage your children to recognise and express their feelings through any medium of communication before diving into problem-solving mode! Help them discover and label their emotions, creating a strong foundation for tackling challenges together.
• There are some fantastic books like The Curious George series or Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy that illustrate problem-solving in a relatable way for your child.
• Make time to participate in play activities such as puzzles, dressing up, and building projects (Duplo, Stick Bricks, Magnet Tiles); all of these helps develop critical thinking.

Age 5 – 7 Introducing the Problem-Solving Framework

• Start by teaching them the five-step process of: (1) Recognise and express your emotions, (2) define the issue, (3) let your child lead on brainstorming possible solutions, as a parent take the role of a coach, not a mentor, (4) collaboratively evaluate the outcome, (5) finally, choose a plan of action.
• Embrace the joy of hands-on learning by diving into crafting and exploring the limitless possibilities of open-ended play!
• Encourage curiosity and deeper thinking by asking open-ended questions like, 'What do you think might happen if...?' This approach invites exploration and analysis, sparking engaging and exciting conversations between you and your child!

Age 7 – 9 Breaking Problems in Manageable Steps

• Help your child and teach them how to break down large challenges into smaller, more manageable tasks. This approach not only makes overwhelming problems easier to tackle but also encourages them to identify specific steps they can take to address each part, allowing them to build confidence as they make progress toward their larger goal.
• Provide opportunities for them to engage in enjoyable activities, such as designing a game or building a structure with household materials, to encourage innovation and creativity in problem-solving. Stuck for ideas, have a look at the Toucan Box
• Harness the power of perseverance. Explore inspiring videos and real-life stories with your child that show how relentless determination can open the door to success.

Age 9 – 11 Applying Problem-Solving to Real-Life Situations

• Engage with your child in creative brainstorming sessions where you both explore various solutions to everyday challenges. For instance, taking responsibility for getting ready in the morning—what would they need, and what steps will they need to follow to get ready for school without you? Prompt them to think of effective and innovative ways to earn money for a specific item or outing they really want. This activity stimulates their problem-solving skills and helps them develop a sense of responsibility and resourcefulness. 
• Encourage your child to write down their challenges or problems, their thought process, and the solutions they’ve tried. Albert Einstein said: “A problem well-defined is a problem half-solved.
• Use group challenges to strengthen problem-solving in a social setting.

 

Once your child has mastered the age-and-stage skills, here are some additional ideas that you might like to explore to enhance their problem-solving skills even further. Your child could find activities like chess, programming/coding, hands-on projects, or exploring structured methodologies, such as the SODAS approach (Situation, Options, Disadvantages, Advantages, and Solutions). Participating in problem-solving clubs, including debate teams and robotics groups, can further refine these skills within collaborative environments.

By investing the time now to guide our children rather than solve every challenge, we are developing and equipping them with the skills they need to navigate life’s complexities. Strong problem-solving abilities foster confidence, resilience, and a sense of control. These qualities will serve them well in their education, friendships, and beyond.

 

Mr Lechmere-Smith

Assistant Head