When your children encounter problems, do you immediately go into problem-solving mode and try to solve them? Many parents do this out of love and concern. We believe that we need to step in and do what we can to bring about a solution because, after all, our children are too young to understand the full ramifications of their choices. While this might be helpful in some situations, we should be teaching our children the skills to allow them to learn to solve problems on their own.
Why does learning problem-solving skills matter to a child? These skills assist in improving mental health issues. Researchers have found that children who do not know how to problem solve can be more at risk of being depressed and suicidal.
Also, some children who do not have problem-solving skills tend to avoid and procrastinate rather than deal with a problem. Other children can act suddenly and impulsively, not understanding or realizing that they have choices. For example, they may hit other children or walk away suddenly from a discussion.
Experts agree that the earlier children learn problem-solving skills the more ready they will be to meet bigger challenges as they grow older. These skills have proved to be critically important for improved academic performance and for building confidence.
The basic 5 problem-solving steps are:
Identify the problem;
Develop many different solutions;
Identify the pros and cons of each solution;
Select what is believed to be the best solution;
Test it out and analyze the results.
When your children encounter a problem, assist them in using these 5 steps. They will learn as they practice. For example, if your child leaves a change of clothing at home, when he needs it after a sports event, talk with him about how that problem can be solved so it does not happen again in the future. Give your child the opportunity to come up with solutions. I am certain that you will be pleasantly surprised at how creative they can be!
To learn more, please visit:
https://www.verywellfamily.com/teach-kids-problem-solving-skills-1095015