Problem-solving is the most important skill to develop in children for apparent reasons. One of them is finding a solution to a problem at ease. Research studies found that kids who lack problem-solving skills may be at higher risk of depression. It is also found that teaching kids these important skills can improve their mental health.
Why do kids need problem-solving skills?
Children face various issues on regular basis, ranging from academic difficulties to problems with the sports field. Rather than putting their energy into solving a problem, kids invest their time in avoiding the problem. This is the reason many kids fall behind in school or struggle to maintain friendships.
Other kids who lack problem-solving skills may jump into actions without recognizing their choices to solve. Or, they walk out of the class when they are being teased because they can’t think of other alternative ways to avoid it. Those impulsive choices may lead to even bigger problems for children in the long run.
With this view, Vignan, one of the top CBSE schools in Nizampet Hyderabad, in this article explains some approaches for learning and developing problem-solving skills for kids at home.
7 Tips to teach problem-solving skills
Children who feel overwhelmed with the problems often won’t attempt to address and solve a problem. But, as a parent, when you give them the right guidance for solving a problem, kids will feel more confident in their ability to try.
Here are some steps to teach problem-solving skills to kids at home
1. Identify the problem
The first step in the problem-solving process for children is to identify and define the problem. A problem can be explained as a difference between the actual situation and the desired situation. Stating out the problem loud can make a huge difference for kids who feel stuck with the problems.
2. Critical thinking
The art of critical thinking helps break down a problem into small and simpler blocks. This can help children understand the problem in a better way. Use some situations to implement this practice. For example, when your child is struggling with homework, start by breaking it down and approaching it from easy to difficult.
3. Creative thinking
Developing creative thinking is one of the alternative solutions to solve a problem. For example, if your children are afraid of playing basketball, you must encourage them to start with smaller-sized balls to build their confidence. Similarly, you can also celebrate every point they score to make them associate the feeling of victory with the goals.
4. Identify the pros and cons of solutions
Help your children identify the positive and negative consequences for each potential solution they have found. This can help children solve problems easily and speed up their decision-making process. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of problem-based learning can also help children achieve their goals.
5. Give them enough time
Allow your children to take their time and space to figure out a problem and the ways to solve it on their own. Don’t rush to the rescue if they struggle to remember animal names or build an arc with their toys. It helps them try and maybe fail, but they learn from experience. Children focus on the solution when they have sufficient time to solve it.
6. Reward their trials
Whether your child solved it or not, make sure you cheer them up for the trial they made to solve the problem. Children usually think that parents know the best. Getting a reward from you for trying will undoubtedly lift their spirits. By increasing their motivational level, children will concentrate more on problem-solving skills to achieve their target.
7. Help them pick a solution and try it out
Once your kids have evaluated the possible positive and negative outcomes, could you encourage them to pick a solution? Tell them to try a solution and see the results. If it doesn’t work out, they can try another solution to solve it. Do not discourage them for the wrong attempt they have made.
The problem-solving skill also requires children to think logically. As mentioned in this article, there are no pre-written instructions to teach your children this skill overnight. They will only learn from implementation, experience, and observation too.
At Vignan, the top school in Hyderabad, children gain problem-solving skills through theoretical and practical knowledge. Our Students are prepared to implement concepts learned within and beyond the classroom and ready for future life!
