Month: November 2018

Be a Role Model

Let your problem solving strategies be examples for your children.

• Think about how you solve problems, and model your solutions! For example, show your child how to blow on hot food to cool it down.  

• Acknowledge when things don’t go as planned. It is reassuring for kids to realize that adults make mistakes too. Let your child watch you make mistakes or fail the first time you try something. Watching you use effective problem solving strategies can teach them that making mistakes is okay!

Promote Independence!

When your child encounters a problem, stepping in can seem like the “right” thing to do. But when you intervene, your child misses opportunities to build important skills and self-confidence. Provide assistance when it is needed, but encourage them to solve problems their own way.

Encourage your children to think about what they can do to fix problems before stepping in.

Provide lots of positive support and guide them to possible solutions. The sense of independence they will gain from trying things on their own is well worth the effort!

• If your child is having trouble with a puzzle, ask, “What can we do so that the pieces fit?”

• Allow your child to fail. Yes, this may be a little uncomfortable at first, but allowing them to experience the natural consequences of their decisions is extremely important. You should never risk their safety or ignore your child when they are in need, but be their sidekick rather than their hero.

• Help your child develop a growth mindset by encouraging them to believe they have the ability to solve the problems that they encounter! Use encouraging phrases such as “keep trying” or “you’ve got this” to let them know that you believe in them.

When problems arise, and kids don’t know what to do, it is common for them to feel some powerful feelings.

Help them manage “big” and complicated emotions by acknowledging their feelings and giving those feelings names (sad, worried, tired, frustrated). When your children understand why they’re having big feelings, they’re better able to evaluate the problem, and consider solutions.

For more tips and tools to help your child understand and manage emotions, click here.

Steps to Problem Solving

Whether it’s difficulty opening a drawer or trouble reaching something under the bed, young children face problems and challenges every day. Instead of feeling overwhelmed when they encounter a problem, children with strong problem-solving abilities are able to understand and control their emotions, think creatively, and recruit appropriate help when needed.

A simple problem-solving process for your child might include:

Modeling Problem Solving Skills

Let your problem-solving strategies be examples for your children.

• Think about how you solve problems, and model your solutions! For example, if your child is having trouble stacking rings, show them how before having them try again on their own. Talk aloud as you come up with a solution, and break it down step-by-step.

Promoting Independence

Whether it’s a toy that is just out of reach, or learning to flip from their tummy to their back, even young children face problems and challenges every day. Problem-solving at this age is basic and practical – getting a bottle into their mouth, mastering head control, and using their noises to get you to pay attention to them.

• A great opportunity to introduce early problem-solving involves teaching your child about object permanence. Object permanence begins to emerge around 8 months old, and involves a baby’s understanding that when things are out of sight, they still exist. When your child drops a ball on the ground, do they look for it?
  • You can promote object permanence by playing peek-a-boo, hiding a ball under a blanket, or holding a toy behind your back.
• Help your child develop a growth mindset.  In order to solve a problem, your child must believe they have the ability to do so! Use encouraging phrases such as “keep trying” or “you this” to let them know that you believe in them.

It’s ok to step in during certain problems.

Intervening to teach your child how to solve a problem can teach them the steps needed to be an independent problem-solver in the future. Once you’ve shown them how to solve a problem, provide assistance when it’s needed, but remember that many of their problems at this age require a little struggle.  

You should never risk their safety or ignore your child when they are in need, but acting more as a sidekick rather than their hero will help them in the long run. It is often during difficult times that children develop and demonstrate strong problem-solving skills!

Your child is seeing lots of new faces and learning lots of new things everyday!

When problems arise, and kids don’t know what to do, it is common for them to feel some powerful feelings. As a caregiver, a little guidance and encouragement can go a long way!  For more tips and tools to help your child manage emotions, click here.