Problem Solving Skills: 8 Simple Ways to Teach Your Child

Children have to face a lot of challenges daily from examination stress to peer pressure.

Researchers have found that children who lack problem-solving skills are at a higher risk of depression and suicidal tendencies. Thus, inculcating problem-solving abilities can improve mental health and sharpen their skills.

Instead of getting frustrated or simply lecturing them, parents should motivate their children to solve problems by themselves to help them become confident, independent, and successful individuals in the long run.

Remember: Parents or teachers shouldn’t provide correct answers but equip them with problem-solving skills to arrive at a solution. The best English Medium School will equip your child with the right survival skills.

8 Simple Ways to Teach Your Child Problem-solving Skills

1. Never play the role of Mr./Mrs. Fix-it

Your child may get frustrated if you offer a solution directly. Allow them to make mistakes but also teach them how to move forward. All they require is a little guidance and set them free to make their own decisions.

2. Motivate creative play

Encourage your child to play with wooden blocks or Lego to make sure their play involves enough challenges and creativity. This way problem solving becomes its own record.

Also read: 10 Ways to Foster Creativity in Children at an Early Age

3. Teach the art of surviving ‘difficult’ or ‘unpleasant’ feelings

Emotions like frustration, disappointment, embarrassment, sadness, shame, regret can be difficult to handle for your child. Like every responsible parent, help them to manage these feelings accordingly. It’s essential to build resilience and coping mechanisms.

4. Offer multiple potential solutions

This can help in facilitating your child’s decision-making skills. Parents should keep the ball rolling by giving options to guide their children. You need to make sure your child doesn’t routinely avoid making tough choices as you issue a default solution.

Nalanda International School (NIS) known as a good English medium school in Vadodara gives the right guidance and support for holistic development.

5. Acquaint your child with the necessary problem-solving steps

Children need to have a basic understanding of identifying their problem. Teach your child to break it into manageable parts to make each task seem simple.

For example: Ask your child to make a list of his/her problems and then find a solution accordingly. Make sure you help them throughout the process.

6. Ask your child to have a support network

Parents, family members, friends and teachers are the primary support system. You need to make this journey easy by holding their hands to reach a destination. While walking the path, you need to observe, learn, and appreciate their efforts to embrace their experiences.

7. Teach them: It’s okay to ask for help

At this tender age, you need to nurture your child well to survive in the long haul. Remind your child that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a brave thing to reach out to make the process easy.

8. Cheer for your child

Don’t hesitate to applaud your child’s effort and tell them that you’re proud of their attempts. This will give them the strength to walk through many such difficult situations.

Every parenting journey is different. Huddle up with your children and mould them into not perfect but an amazing human being. Enrol your child into a reputed English medium school in Vadodara.