Teaching Children to Be Better Problem Solvers

If you are parent of young child, here’s a “formula” for teaching problem solving. (Be patient and do not rush the process): 1) Encourage the child to explain the situation needing a fix, solution, or answer. 2) Ask questions that prompt critical thinking and solutions. 3) Help the child break the problem up into smaller parts. Tackle one piece at a time. 4) Let the child brainstorm for answers. 5) Guide the child to the solution. 6) Praise the effort. 7) Talk about mistakes as learning tools, and okay. 8) Have a post-event discussion and reflect on the steps to solving a problem. For more create more opportunities for learning the problem-solving process, create problems. Example: “I don’t know what to make for dinner, but this is what we have in the refrigerator.”

3/9/2023