How to Teach Your Child Problem Solving Skills

Teaching kids to solve problems gives them the ability to reason and rationalize.

Teaching children life skills is a daily process for parents. From learning how to care for themselves to thinking and reasoning, children must acquire the tools they will need to get through life. One topic that requires a little more planning and insight is the ability to think through and solve problems. Using an assortment of techniques can help you give your child the advantage of being a problem solver, one who understands the importance of thinking through issues to find a resolution.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Note cards

1. Explain to your child what solving a problem means. Use age-appropriate language and use examples to illustrate your point. Explain that some problems have a specific, known answer, such as "What does one plus one equal?" However, other problems involve figuring out the best solution, such as how to fit all the cookies in the cookie jar.

2. Work on definitive-answer problems first, as children can see and grasp the concepts more easily. Write down simple mathematical equations on a piece of paper. Leave the answer portion blank. Have the child do the math. Explain that what he just accomplished was a form of problem solving.

3. Create problem-solving activities in your house or outside. For example, hide a stuffed animal in the house, making sure you remember where you placed the item. Using note cards, write down one hint per card to use as prompts to help your child figure out where the item was hidden. Give the child one card at a time, and give him only as many as he needs to find the item.

4. Ask for your child's input when you encounter problem-solving opportunities on a daily basis. For example, when you are trying to determine what to make for dinner, ask your child what you should make. Ask the child to give you an explanation or reason for his answer. Then discuss all the factors that enter into the decision-making process so that the child understands how to think through all the facets of the issue. For instance, point out that you may not have all of the ingredients for the meal he initially suggested. Guide him through the process as you reach a decision. Consistent exposure to situations like this will help to teach the child the importance of problem-solving skills.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not berate a child who does not immediately grasp the concept of problem solving. Know that all children learn at a different pace.

References

• The Ohio State University; Teaching Children to Resolve Conflict; Joyce Fittro
• Scholastic; How You Can Help Children Solve Problems; Ellen Booth Church; April 1999