Steps for Problem Solving
Whether it’s having trouble taking turns, or untying knotted sneakers, 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 persevere until they find a solution. Try coming up with simple steps to improve problem-solving for your child – steps that they can implement anywhere and anytime.
We need to know what the problem is before we can begin to solve it. Start by asking your child how they are feeling, and why they are feeling that way. When we can identify a specific problem, it’s much easier to come up with a plan for solving it.
Once your child has identified the problem, work together to brainstorm lots of different ways to approach a problem, even if they aren’t “good” (or fast, or particularly practical).
- If your child is having trouble coloring a picture, include “crying” or “throwing it away” as potential solutions. Even if their solution is one that you recognize won’t work, let them discover what works and what doesn’t. They’re just brainstorming, so every idea is important!
- Use fun examples, like what to do if they don’t have an umbrella and it starts to rain. For example, they could use a jacket, find a piece of paper, use an empty box, or not use anything and get soaked!
Guide your child to choose one or two potential solutions to try out. If the solution doesn’t work, see if they can figure out why and try another. Encourage your child to keep trying until the problem is solved.
Look back and evaluate the results.
Discuss what happened. What worked? What didn’t? What can they try differently next time? It is important to help kids consider everyone involved, and to evaluate others’ responses to possible solutions as well!