This way, they can become confident , independent, and successful individuals. Instead of giving up or getting frustrated when they encounter a challenge, kids with problem-solving skills manage their emotions, think creatively , and persist until they find a solution. Naturally, these abilities go hand-in-hand with a growth mindset. Before you move on, be sure to sign up for our FREE weekly printables carefully crafted to teach your kids growth mindset, resilience, and much more.
Sign up below to make sure you're on the list! Once signed up, you will immediately receive our popular Parent's Guide to a Growth Mindset. Well, it depends on their age. Read on to learn key strategies of teaching problem-solving to kids, as well as some age-by-age ideas and activities. At the same time, show your child a willingness to make mistakes. When you model problem-solving, explain that there are some things which are out of our control.
As we're solving a problem at hand we should focus on the things we CAN actually control. Ask your kids for advice when you have a problem. It also gives them the opportunity to practice problem-solving skills. As difficult as it may be, allow your child to struggle, sometimes fail , and ultimately LEARN from experiencing consequences.
The ages listed below are general guidelines, feel free to choose any strategies or activities that you feel will work for YOUR child.
To step into a problem-solving mindset, young children need to first learn to manage their emotions. One way to accomplish this is by using the emotion coaching process outlined by John Gottman.
First, teach your kids that ALL emotions are acceptable. Even seemingly negative emotions like anger, sadness, and frustration can teach us valuable lessons. What matters is how we respond to these emotions.
When your child struggles or feels frustrated, try a technique suggested by mom and parenting blogger Lauren Tamm. This helps your child identify the ROOT of the problem, making it less intimidating and easier to solve. Once you both understand the real problem, prompt your child to come up with solutions. If not, help her brainstorm some ideas. Allow your child to choose activities and games based on her interests.
Free play provides plenty of opportunities to navigate and creatively solve problems. Children often learn best through PLAY. If a parent handles problems by yelling, throwing things, hitting, grabbing or using other unacceptable strategies, a child will learn to do the same thing. Often, adults will prevent their children from seeing all conflicts or disagreements.
Remember, it is important for children to see adults negotiate differences, compromise and resolve conflicts. Learning to negotiate differences in a constructive way and allowing children to see how this is done is very effective and important.
Children can learn how to be assertive verbally as a result of seeing and listening to how adults resolve conflict. Another simple way a child can learn how to be assertive verbally is by role-playing with puppets and through pretend play with an adult. When using these techniques, it is important to help your child think of constructive ways to respond to different situations. By using puppets and role-play, your child can also learn about how others may feel in specific situations.
Problem solving steps source. Solution cue cards source. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views or policies of the funding agency nor does publication in any way constitute an endorsement by the funding agency. Home Glossary Feedback. Activity: Teaching Problem Solving Imagine that a teacher requires some advice from you as a mental health consultant.
Teach a problem solving procedure see picture below by teaching children the steps to solve social problems: 1 Identify what the problem is; 2 Think about solutions; 3 Think about what will happen if I do this and how the other child will feel if I do this? The language you use to address a toddler or answer their questions also presents an opportunity to teach problem-solving. Ask a toddler for their opinion on or interpretation of a problem, and make an effort to guide them toward their own solution.
Ask questions that start with what , why , how , when , where , and who , and look to them for answers. Aside from giving a toddler independence to play and learn, consider the following simple activities to promote their problem-solving:. Investing time and effort into helping them learn these skills now will give them a foundation to overcome obstacles independently throughout life.
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