Problem-solving is a skill that is present in every individual to a certain extent. It is necessary to solve unexpected setbacks or challenges or simply make some tough decisions. But why are some people so much better at it? This is not due to some secret skill but diligent practice and patience. While adults are used to facing problems of all kinds daily, kids are not.
From handling a misplaced lunch order to forgetting to bring something and managing it all like a pro. Their years of experience have built adequate endurance in them. But for kids, it’s a learning curve right now, and every corner takes them by surprise. When faced with problems, such as inside-out clothes, it is easier for their parents to solve the problem and move on.
But what they do not realize is that it makes their kids dependent on them from a young age for a solution to anything that they cannot solve. While parents are definitely there for this reason as well, they cannot coddle their kids from learning life lessons and basic skills. So, it is important to encourage problem-solving in kids from an early age. Here’s a quick guide to making your kids independent and a healthy solver of problems.
Patience is a virtue that must be developed over the years as one becomes a parent. It is a spontaneous reaction on the part of most parents to correct or help their kids when they are stuck at something. For example, your child has got their head stuck and tangled in a sweater. As a parent, your first instinct would be to help and untangle them. But if you wait a few moments, there is a high chance that they will be able to extract themselves from the situation. Do not lose patience if your child is trying to tackle a problem. Let them have a fair chance before stepping in. This will teach them that while their parents have their back, they need to give a real try at solving the problem first and inculcate independence.
Since practice and experience help a kid learn how to problem-solve like a pro, one cannot wait for life to happen to them. It is ideal to engage them often in problem-solving games and puzzles to make sure their cerebral tissues are active. Play chess and Monopoly to engage various aspects of their intelligence and problem-solving skills. Give puzzles and mazes a try, as they help kids think out of the box as well.
It is important to encourage creativity in kids as it is the benchmark of independence and intelligence in them. Academia is not the only place that engages a kid’s mind. Therefore, to develop problem-solving skills in kids, creativity should be encouraged. If your kid is fond of art and crafts, take them out for a walk in the park and let them pick any natural items they like, such as rocks, leaves, flowers, twigs, and more. They will use it to create a piece of art or make something else with it. This will teach them to use the tools at hand to tackle a task, much like life itself.
This is a fun way to develop and hone problem-solving skills in kids. Try to repeatedly ask for their opinion in solving problems. They can be work-related, household-related, or family-related, but they must be age-appropriate and engaging for them. Also, the fact that a parent or an adult is asking for help really gets their mental clogs going. For example, if you wish to gift-wrap a box, ask for their help, and watch them tackle the problem. If they fail, the two of you can always figure it out together. But it will teach them valuable lessons while they exercise their problem-solving skills.
It is important to praise your kid’s efforts. Modern life has caused the value of efforts to recede, prioritizing achievement and success. But that cannot continue. While succeeding is wonderful, it is the efforts that make it possible. So, focus on them instead. This will make your child feel valued and seen. It will also teach them to focus on the development of problem-solving skills instead of only solving the problem, as success and failure are all part of the process.
Problem-solving skills are a valuable set of life skills for kids these days. Due to the rise of technology, most problems are being solved by laptops and mobile phones these days, leaving little for your kid’s brain to do. So, give this guide a try and start inculcating independent problem-solving in your kids from a young age. It will prepare them for life in the long run.