Teaching Your Child to Solve Problems Independently

Teaching your child to solve problems independently is part of an ongoing journey that should get easier as they grow. As a parent, it’s not always easy to anticipate the times small children are more likely to get frustrated but if you offer them plenty of challenges then you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to teach them problem-solving skills.

Solving problems independently involves some degree of self-confidence and that can only be built through experience. When toddlers fail to get it right first time, they often continue to try the same approach repeatedly. By showing them different methods of attempting the issue at hand, you’re putting the power in their hands. This is something which is easily achievable with children who have good language skills. 

Asking them questions will help children to learn to think outside the box. Let’s imagine your four-year-old is having a hard time finding the right piece of a jigsaw puzzle. Don’t be tempted to find it for them. Ask them how they think they can try a different way to solve the problem. They may or may not have an answer – if they don’t you can suggest something new. Let them try it – don’t point out the correct piece though, for them to learn independent problem-solving they must feel the thrill of getting it right alone.

One suggestion in this circumstance might be to set all the pieces they’ve already tried into a separate pile so that they don’t get mixed up. Children need help but they also like to feel that they’ve achieved something. Some phrases to use when your child is struggling:

• You haven’t done it yet – but you will soon!
• When you crack the problem you’ll be so proud of yourself!
• Keep trying, it’s good to be persistent!

Make trying a positive thing. Trying over and over until something is achieved is how we all improve. Once children begin school, their opportunities for problem-solving increase. Take this independent school in Middlesex, children there are always encouraged to keep trying no matter what.

A good variety of fun activities and lessons help to retain interest. Group activities help children to learn how to work with others.

This is a collaborative post.