Problems are something we all face on a regular basis. Some are minor and some are more serious, but they are unavoidable, nevertheless. With that said, it’s important for parents to help their children develop problem-solving skills so that they can independently overcome adversity. I have teamed up with an independent school in Harrow to share some tips on how to help your child with their problem-solving skills.
Encourage Resilience
Try and teach your child that giving up is rarely the answer. Instead, encourage resilience and hard work. They might not get things right the first time around but trying again is better than not trying at all. With this in mind, don’t be hard on your child if they make mistakes but instead focus on the effort they put in and let them know you are proud of them. Doing so will encourage them to continue trying which is important when faced with a problem.
Promote Independence
This can be tough for parents but running to the rescue every time your child is faced with an issue won’t help them in the long run. Instead, try and give them the chance to figure things out on their own. Of course, you can help point them in the right direction, but solving problems on their behalf won’t give them the confidence to solve problems on their own going forward.
Teach Emotional Control
It will be difficult for your child to solve a problem if they are mid-tantrum. Try and help them to manage difficult emotions so that if they feel frustrated or upset when faced with a problem, they are able to remain calm and level-headed. For instance, you could encourage them to count to ten when they feel angry or take a break and come back to the issue later.
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Asking your child open-ended questions will encourage them to think critically and consider things on a deeper level. This will come in handy when they have a problem to solve. An open-ended question typically has no right or wrong answer, and cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Here are some examples:
- Why do you think that? What made you come to that conclusion?
- What would you do differently next time?
- What do you think would happen if…?
Be a Good Role Model
Try and show your child effective problem-solving techniques so that they can learn through observation. For instance, you could break down an issue into smaller chunks that are easier to manage. You should also try not to lose your temper when dealing with a problem.