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This activity invites critical thinking for the children involved, in addition to working in a group setting.  During the activity, the children got over-excited and one child was able to speak up and redirect the children to what the original idea was (Chambers, 2013). He did this successfully and modelled problem-solving skills in a social setting as he wanted the children to focus on the activity and was able to figure out what to say and do in order to achieve this (Ministry of Education, 2016).  The educator was teaching the children how to come together as a group and use their problem-solving skills to figure out as a group how to accomplish the challenge.

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How Can The Educator Scaffold and Support Learning?

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How Can The Educator Scaffold and Support Learning?

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For the skills shown by the children in this video, we could scaffold the learning by asking the children to try and keep the tissue up in the air using their air.  We could then further the activity by using a chart to see how many people it takes and how long they can get it to stay up (Ministry of Education, 2016). The educator is giving the children the space to figure out how they are going to move the tissue and observing and documenting their thought processes (Ministry of Educaton, 2016).

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When children experience successful negotiations then they are not going to be upset about expressing themselves and will be more likely to problem solve (WeAreTeachers, 2016). The children were showing their learning under SE 4.1 because the boy was trying different methods in order to find a spot at the table. The educator was supporting this learning by asking questions that provoked thinking about how he could find a spot to sit at the table. The educator could encourage scaffolding of this skill of problem-solving through encouraging the children to go to their classmates for help rather than their teachers (Ministry of Education, 2016).

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How Does This Apply to Educator’s Learning?

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How Does This Apply to Educator’s Learning?

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This applies to my learning as an educator because I am learning to give children the opportunity to solve their own problems and encourage them to ask questions and try things out and see what does and does not work. It can be very simple and faster to just solve the problem for children but it is not teaching them anything. As relating to S.E. 4.1 I can give children the space to attempt to solve their own problems and instead go to their peers for help (Ministry of Education, 2016)

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How Can The Educator Scaffold and Support Learning?

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How Can The Educator Scaffold and Support Learning?

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In the video, a child wanted to sit next to another child and there was no room at the table. The teacher then helped the other child to problem solve how they would solve this problem and how they could find more space (WeAreTeachers, 2016). When the educator is there to support the situation, they are scaffolding the behaviour and actions that they want to see and supporting the children in finding appropriate solutions. The educator was facilitating a healthy discussion about trying to find more space so the child could sit. She encouraged the child to ask another child if they could move down and when that did not create much space she said “that’s all he can do.” The educator was encouraging the children to discuss their feelings and solve the problem of finding more space to sit. Each child is having their voice heard and the educator is encouraging a peaceful solution that everyone is happy with.

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How Can Educator’s Scaffold and Support Learning

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How Can Educator’s Scaffold and Support Learning

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Teaching children to problem solve whether related to sharing toys, solving a mathematical problem, or relationships with others can be challenging. As educators, we cannot always be there to help children with their problems, but instead, we can help them learn how to problem-solve independently (Ministry of Education, 2016). Relating to SE 4.1, it is important to teach children to manage their emotions and think and be persistent until they find a solution. By doing this, we are helping the child become confident and work independently to solve a problem.

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How Does This Apply to Educator’s Learning?

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How Does This Apply to Educator’s Learning?

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Educators would benefit from these strategies by implementing them into their curriculum plan to help teach children how to manage and understand problem-solving at any age. It is important to teach children what we can control and what we cannot control and how to deal with any situation that may arise. It would also be helpful to provide a poster to help children visualize and understand the steps and strategies for problem-solving. This also relates to SE 4.1 because it helps children have a variety of tools at their disposal in order to problem-solve (Ministry of Education, 2016).

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Age 3-5: we should be using emotional coaching

Age 5-7: we need to teach the child problem-solving steps

Age 7-9: we need to help children break down the problem into sections

Age 9-11: we need to use creative problem-solving prompts

Age 12 + years: at this age we should support the child’s ability to use critical thinking and analyze a situation

(Cullins, n.d.)

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S-SITUATION

O-OPTIONS

D-DISADVANTAGES

A-ADVANTAGES

S-SOLUTION

(Cullins, n.d)

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Chambers, A. (2013). Preschool problem solving. Retrieved March 25, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgnRUFsJmxY?hd=1

Cullins, A. (n.d.). How to teach problem-solving skills to kids (ages 3-14). Big Life Journal. Retrieved March 24, 2022, from https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/how-teach-problem-solving-strategies-kids-guide

Ontario Ministry of Education. (2016). The kindergarten program.

Picture used for SE provided by Padlet

Sakellariou, M., Strati, M, & Anagnostopoulou, R. (2019). The role of social skills throughout inclusive education implementation.

WeAreTeachers (2016). Adopting A Problem-Solving Approach to Conflict. YouTube.

Importance of problem-solving in child development. (2021). Mrs. Myers’ Reading Room. Retrieved April 1, 2022, from https://mrsmyersrr.com/news/importance-problem-solving-child-development

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The skill that was chosen for this paper is to use a variety of strategies to solve problems, including problems arising in social situations. It is worth emphasizing that it is one of the critical ones since individuals need to constantly make decisions about how to behave with certain people and how to solve the issues that occur in life. Thus, this skill will be examined in the light of the article “Importance of problem-solving in child development.” This source will help to get a better understanding of the positive aspects of acquiring this important skill.

Thus, problem-solving skill is essential for the development and socialization of any person since society is an integral part of the formation of a person’s personality. It is this fact that determines the importance of laying this characteristic at an early age. The central concept of the chosen source is to provide knowledge and understanding of how problem-solving skills will help in any situation. The article emphasizes that “learning how to approach and solve problems, both at home and school, can affect the quality of a child’s relationships with others” (“Importance of problem-solving in child development,” 2021, para. 1). Thus, this makes this source important for my certain expectations from the skill development process.

It is also worth noting the quality, validity, and reliability of the chosen source, which makes it especially valuable to study. Moreover, the usefulness of this article is that it provides information about at what stage of development the ability to solve problems is formed in young children. The importance of the appearance of possible difficulties at an early stage for finding a solution promptly is also emphasized. In addition, the importance of the studied characteristic for the formation of cognitive development of children is highlighted. This is due to the fact that it helps to develop creativity by considering the problem from different sides.

Further, the source “Importance of problem-solving in child development” provides current knowledge that is evidence-informed and reflective of sound pedagogical practice. This statement is supported by a thorough explanation of the positive aspects of problem-solving skills. In addition to those already listed, the possibility of resolving complex social situations with determination is also highlighted (“Importance of problem-solving in child development,” 2021). Moreover, it also promotes the development and strengthening of confidence, as children will be able to find methods and ways to solve emerging problems effectively.

Early Childhood Educators can support and scaffold the development of this skill in practice. This is due to the fact that solving problems is relevant not only at an early age but also throughout the rest of children’s lives when interacting with society. Furthermore, in pedagogical terms, it helps to increase the motivation and academic performance of children, which seems to be an advantage of the skill being studied. Support for its formation can also be carried out by showing an example by the actions of an educator since, in early development, people rely heavily on role models and ways of their behavior.

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The development of problem-solving skills is an essential aspect of child development. Learning how to approach and solve problems, both at home and school, can affect the quality of a child's relationships with others. Problem-solving also encourages creativity, which is key to success later on in life. In this post, we will discuss the importance of problem-solving for children.

When do children develop problem-solving skills?

Problem-solving skills often start to emerge during the preschool years. In many cases, children obtain these skills by observing adults who model their own behavior as they face various situations and come up with solutions. These role models help children understand how their actions can affect problems and their outcomes.

The importance of problem-solving for children

One crucial aspect of problem-solving is identifying a problem at its earliest stage so that one can prevent it from escalating into something more serious. For example, if children have a dispute with a playmate, they need to learn about the importance of sharing and taking turns. This kind of knowledge is necessary in order for children to develop healthy relationships with others.

Furthermore, problem-solving plays a vital role in children's cognitive development. It encourages creativity because it allows kids to view situations from different perspectives. Sometimes creative solutions are better than more obvious ones when addressing problems.

Problems vary

Even though problem-solving plays a critical role throughout child development, it's also important to note that not every problem requires the same type of solution. For example, children wouldn't use the same approach with a broken toy as they would for completing academic assignments. Therefore, it's helpful to keep in mind that there are different types of problems, and each has an associated function or purpose.

The problems that children typically face can be divided into two categories: physical and social.

Physical problems include situations such as getting food when we're hungry. On the other hand, social problems may involve conflicts with friends or siblings, or how to respond if one of your parents is upset. Understanding these different types of conflicts can help children understand which type of problem-solving strategy will work best depending on the context.

Learning how to solve problems

While learning how to solve problems is an integral part of child development, this process isn't always easy, especially in complex situations with several obstacles. In complicated situations, a slower approach is often best. This will allow children to explore different options and weigh the pros and cons.

Being able to settle differences with others helps children establish positive relationships. Moreover, problem-solving encourages creativity, which is another important element of growing into a successful adult. Understanding different types of problems will help children come up with solutions.

Why are problem-solving skills important for kids?

There are many reasons why problem-solving skills are essential for kids. When children can effectively face and address conflicts, they exercise their imaginations, creativity, critical thinking skills, and logic in order to address a difficult situation. Over time, children who are given opportunities to practice their problem-solving skills will grow more confident in their abilities.

When confronted with new problems, children can work out solutions through reasoning, rather than relying on others for help. This can result in higher self-confidence. If children have poor social competence, they may find it hard to form relationships with others.

Kids who lack academic motivation are less likely to succeed in school, while possessing strong problem-solving skills will encourage them to engage more in the learning process.

Conclusion

Problem-solving can help children adapt better in a variety of settings. They'll also have the ability to face challenges with determination.

Problem-solving plays a vital role in child development. This important skill is not just coming up with a solution. Rather, it involves using one's creativity, thinking through possibilities, reasoning through potential plans or pathways, and using logic to address complex problems or questions.

Additionally, confronting problems with confidence can help children feel better about themselves and have higher self-esteem. It is also vital for academic success later on. If children lack social competence, they may find it hard to form relationships with others.

Learning how to problem-solve requires practice, which can help boost motivation and improve academic performance too!

At Mrs. Myers' Learning Lab, we know the importance of problem-solving during child development. We offer programs that instill creativity and analytical skills. Call us today for more information!

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Importance of Problem-solving in Child Development

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The development of problem-solving skills is an essential aspect of child development. Learning how to approach and solve problems, both at home and school, can affect the quality of a child's relationships with others. Problem-solving also encourages creativity, which is key to success later on in life.

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SE 4.1 use a variety of strategies to solve problems, including problems arising in social situations 

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SE 4.1 use a variety of strategies to solve problems, including problems arising in social situations 

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The beginning of the video shows another child hitting another child out of frustration. The teacher intervenes and models vocabulary that helps the child vocalize his feelings and solve problems, saying things like “I see that you are feeling frustrated.” Children are able to develop positive relationships with peers when they are shown how to express their feelings and model words that express their feelings rather than resorting to physical behaviours (WeAreTeachers, 2016).

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This article summarizes the strategies to teach problem-solving at each age level. There are three main ideas for problem-solving at any age. First, we should model effective problem-solving. For the benefit of the child we need to show them how to apply problem-solving skills, and show them that it is ok to make mistakes and learn from them. Second, we need to ask children for advice when we are experiencing a problem in order to help them realize that everyone makes mistakes and faces challenges. This will help the child practice problem solving with you. Third, we should not always provide the answer for children but instead, allow them to struggle and sometimes fail in order to learn from their experiences (Cullins, n.d.).

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The video summarizes problem-solving in a classroom setting with children working together to figure out the challenge given to them by the educator (Chambers, 2013).  The activity is set up using tape on the floor and a piece of tissue. The educator offers the children a challenge and explains to the children that she wants them to figure out how to move the tissue from one side of the tape to the other, without touching the tissue with their body (Chambers, 2013).  The children are seen pondering how they could accomplish this. Collaboratively the children discuss their options by problem-solving with each other. Once the children decide on an action that will successfully move the tissue they continue by exercising the action of blowing the tissue from one side to another (Chambers, 2013).  As a group, the children figure out how to place their bodies and which way to blow to effectively reach their goal of getting the tissue from one side to the other.

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Positive Problem Solving Steps (English) Video Social Story

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Adopting a Problem-Solving Approach to Conflict

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Adopting a Problem-Solving Approach to Conflict

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Adopting a Problem-Solving Approach to Conflict

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How to Teach Problem-Solving Skills to Kids (Ages 3-14)

THIS ARTICLE INCLUDES A FREE PRINTABLE

Whether it's a toy-related conflict, a tough math equation, or negative peer pressure, kids of ALL ages face problems and challenges on a daily basis.

As parents or teachers, we can't always be there to solve every problem for our children. In fact, this isn't our job. Our job is to TEACH our children how to solve problems by . This way, they can become themselves, independent, and successful individuals.

Instead of giving up or getting frustrated when they encounter a challenge, kids with problem-solving skills manage their emotions, think creatively, and persist until they find a solution. Naturally, these abilities go hand-in-hand with a

Before you move on, be sure to sign up for our FREE weekly printables carefully crafted to teach your kids growth mindset, resilience, and much more. Sign up below to make sure you're on the list!

Once signed up, you will immediately receive our popular Parent's Guide to a Growth Mindset.
So HOW do you teach problem-solving skills to kids?

Well, it depends on their age. As cognitive abilities and the size of the child's challenges grow/evolve over time, so should your approach to teaching problem-solving skills.

Read on to learn key strategies of teaching problem-solving to kids, as well as some age-by-age ideas and activities.

3 General Strategies to Teach Problem-Solving at Any Age

1. Model Effective Problem-Solving

When YOU encounter a challenge, do a "think-aloud" for the benefit of your child. MODEL how to apply the same problem-solving skills you've been working on together, giving the real-world examples that she can implement in her own life.

At the same time, show your child a willingness to make . Everyone encounters problems, and that's okay. Sometimes the first solution you try won't work, and that's okay too!

When you model problem-solving, explain that there are some things which are out of our control. As we're solving a problem at hand we should focus on the things we CAN actually control.

You can show the Circle of Control printable included in the Growth Mindset Printables Kit.

2. Ask for Advice

Ask your kids for advice when you have a problem. This teaches them that it's common to make mistakes and face challenges. It also gives them the opportunity to practice problem-solving skills.

Plus, when you indicate that their ideas are they'll gain the valued, confidence to attempt solving problems on their own.

3. Don't Provide "The Answer"

As difficult as it may be, allow your child to struggle, sometimes , and ultimately LEARN from experiencing consequences.

3-5 Years

Use Emotion Coaching

To step into a problem-solving mindset, young children need to first learn to manage their emotions. After all, it's difficult for a small child to logically consider solutions to a problem if he's mid-tantrum.

One way to accomplish this is by using the emotion coaching process outlined by John Gottman.

First, teach your kids that ALL emotions are acceptable. There are NO "bad" emotions. Even seemingly negative emotions like anger, sadness, and frustration can teach us valuable lessons. What matters is how we respond to these emotions.

Second, follow this process:

When your child is upset, help her process the way she's feeling. Say something like, Step One: Naming and validating emotions."I understand that you're upset because Jessica is playing with the toy you wanted."

Guide your child to her calming space. If she doesn't have one, it's a good idea to create one. Let her calm her body and process her emotions so she can problem-solve, learn, and grow.

Step Three: Problem Solving. Brainstorm solutions with your child, doing moreLISTENINGthan talking during the conversation. This allows your child to practice her problem-solving skills, and she's more likely to actually implement the solutions she came up with herself.

Say, "Show Me the Hard Part"

When your child struggles or feels frustrated, try a technique suggested by mom and parenting blogger Lauren Tamm . Simply say, "Show me the hard part."

Repeat back what your child says, "So you're saying..."

Once you both understand the real problem, prompt your child to come up with . solutions "There must be some way you can fix that..." or "There must be something you can do..."

Now that your child has identified "the hard part," she'll likely be able to come up with a solution. If not, help her brainstorm some ideas. You may try asking the question, "If you know, what would you think?" and see what she comes up with.

Your child can practice finding solutions to obstacles they're facing with My Mighty Treasure Coins printable found in the Self-Esteem & Confidence Kit.

Problem-Solve with Creative Play

Allow your child to choose activities and games based on her interests. Free play provides plenty of opportunities to navigate and creatively solve problems.

Children often learn best through PLAY. Playing with items like blocks, simple puzzles, and dress-up clothes can teach your child the process of problem-solving.

Even while playing, your child thinks critically: Where does this puzzle piece fit? What does this do? I want to dress up as a queen. What should I wear? Where did I put my tiara? Is it under the couch?

Encourage creative play, creative thinking, and problem-solving with our fabulous Growth Mindset Activity Kit for children!

Problem-Solve with Storybooks

Read age-appropriate stories featuring characters who experience problems, such as:

Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy by Jacky Davis: The story of two friends who want to play together but can't find a game to agree on. After taking turns making suggestions, they arrive at a game they both want to play: Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy.

The Curious George Series by Margaret and H.E. Rey: A curious little monkey gets into and out of dilemmas, teaching kids to find solutions to problems of their own.

Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber: Ira's thrilled to have a sleepover at his friend Reggie's house. But there's one problem: Should he or should he not bring his teddy bear? It may seem small, but this is the type of early social problem your child might relate to.

Connect these experiences to similar events in your child's own life, and ASK your child HOW the characters in these stories could solve their problems. Encourage a variety of solutions, and discuss the possible outcomes of each.

This is a form of dialogue reading, or actively ENGAGING your child in the reading experience. Interacting with the text instead of passively listening can "turbocharge" the development of literacy skills such as comprehension in preschool-aged children.

By asking questions about the characters' challenges, you can also give your child's problem-solving abilities a boost.

For book suggestions, refer to the printable Top 85 Growth Mindset Books for Children & Adults in our Growth Mindset Printables Kit.

5-7 Years

Teach the Problem-Solving Steps

Come up with a simple problem-solving process for your child, one that you can consistently implement. For example, you might try the following five steps:

Help your child understand what she's feeling in the moment (frustration, anger, curiosity, disappointment, excitement, etc.) Noticing and naming emotions will diffuse their charge and give your child a chance to take a step back.

problem. In most cases, help her take responsibility for what happened rather than Step 2: What's the problem? Guide your child to identify the specific pointing fingers. For instance, instead of, "Joey got me in trouble at recess," your child might say, "I got in trouble at recess for arguing with Joey."

Step 3: What are the solutions? Encourage your child to come up with as many solutions as possible. At this point, they don't even need to be "good" solutions. They're just brainstorming here, not yet evaluating the ideas they've generated.

Step 4: What would happen if...? What would happen if your child attempted each of these solutions? Is the solution safe and fair? How will it make others feel? You can also try role playing at this step. It's important for your child to consider BOTH positive and negative consequences of her actions.

Step 5: Which one will I try? Ask your child to pick one or more solutions to try. If the solution didn't work, discuss WHY and move on to another one. Encourage your child to keep trying until the problem is solved.

Consistently practice these steps so that they become second nature, and model solving problems of your own the same way. It's a good idea to reflect: What worked? What didn't? What can you do differently next time?

Help your child visualize and practice this process using the colorful in the My Problem-Solving printable Self-Esteem & Confidence Kit .

Problem-Solve with Craft Materials

Crafting is another form of play that can teach kids to solve problems creatively.

Provide your child with markers, modeling clay, cardboard boxes, tape, paper, etc. They'll come up with all sorts of interesting creations and inventive games with these simple materials.

Ask Open-Ended Questions

Asking open-ended questions improves a child's ability to think critically and creatively, ultimately making them better problem-solvers. Examples of open-ended questions include:

How could we work together to solve this?

How did you work it out? or How do you know that?

Tell me about what you built, made, or created.

What do you think will happen next?

What do you think would happen if...?

What did you learn?

What was easy? What was hard?

What would you do differently next time?

Open-ended questions have no right answer and can't be answered with a simple "Yes" or "No."

You can ask open-ended questions even when your child isn't currently solving a problem to help her practice her thinking skills, which will come in handy when she have a problem to solve.

For more question ideas, use "10 Growth Mindset Questions To Ask Your Kids at the Dinner Table" in our . Growth Mindset Printables Kit

7-9 Years

Break Down Problems into Chunks

This strategy is a more advanced version of "Show me the hard part."

For instance, let's say your child has a poor grade in history class. Why is the grade so low? What are the causes of this problem?

If the low grade is the result of missing assignments, perhaps your child can make a list of these assignments and tackle one at a time. Or if tests are the issue, what's causing your child to struggle on exams?

Perhaps she's distracted by friends in the class, has trouble asking for help, and doesn't spend enough time studying at home. Once you've identified these "chunks," help your child tackle them one at a time until the problem is solved.

Make sure to use our printable cards "Problem-Solving Steps for Kids" (available in theGrowth Mindset Activity Kit). This is a fun and interactive way your child can learn the steps to problem-solving and have confidence in the process.

Discuss the importance of embracing challenges and solving problems independently with the "broken escalator video."

In the video, an escalator unexpectedly breaks. The people on the escalator are "stuck" and yelling for help. At this age, it's likely that your child will find the video funny and immediately offer a solution: "Just walk! Get off the escalator!"

Tell your child that this is a simple example of how people sometimes act in difficult situations. Ask, "Why do you think they didn't get off the escalator?" (they didn't know how, they were waiting for help, etc.)

9-11 Years

Problem-Solve with Prompts

Provide your child or a group of children with materials such as straws, cotton balls, yarn, clothespins, tape, paper clips, sticky notes, Popsicle sticks, etc.

With just these materials, challenge your kids to solve unusual problems like:

Make a leprechaun trap

Create a jump ramp for cars

Design your own game with rules

Make a device for two people to communicate with one another

This is a fun way to practice critical thinking and creative problem-solving. Most likely, it will take multiple attempts to find a solution that works, which can apply to just about any aspect of life.

Make Them Work for It

When your child asks for a new toy, technology, or clothes, have her make a plan to obtain the desired item herself. Not only will your child have to brainstorm and evaluate solutions, but she'll also gain confidence .

Ask your child HOW she can earn the money for the item that she wants, and encourage her as she works toward her goal.

Put It on Paper

For example, use this graphic organizer developed by The New York Times Learning Network . Your child can identify her problem and brainstorm solutions.

But now, she takes this process a step further: After attempting each solution, which succeeded? Which were unsuccessful? ?

This helps your child reflect on various outcomes, learning what works and what doesn't. The lessons she learns here will be useful when she encounters similar problems in the future.

Ages 12+

Play Chess Together

Learning to play chess is a great way for kids to learn problem-solving AND build their brains at the same time. It requires players to use critical thinking, creativity, analysis of the board, recognize pattern and more. There are online versions of the game, books on how to play, videos and other resources. Don't know how to play? Learn with your teen to connect problem solve together!

Have Them Learn To Code

Our teens and tweens are already tech-savvy and can use their skills to solve problems by learning to code. Coding promotes creativity, logic, planning, and persistence. There are many great tools and online or in-person programs that can boost your child's coding skills.

Encourage to Start a Meaningful Project

This project has to be meaningful to your teen, for example starting a YouTube channel. Your teen will practice problem-solving skills as they're figuring out how to grow their audience, how to have their videos discovered, and much more.

In the Big Life Journal - Teen Edition, there's a section that guides them through planning their YouTube channel and beginning the problem-solving process.

Apply the SODAS Method

Looking for a game plan that your teen can employ when faced with a problem? The SODAS method can be used for big or small problems. Just remember this simple acronym and follow these ideas:

Encourage to Join Problem-Solving Groups

Does your teen enjoy solving problems in a team? Have them join a group or club that helps them hone their skills in a variety of settings--from science and robotics to debating and international affairs. Some examples of groups include:

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How to Teach Problem-Solving Skills to Kids (Ages 3-14)

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Whether it's a toy-related conflict, a tough math equation, or negative peer pressure, kids of ALL ages face problems and challenges on a daily basis. As parents or teachers, we can't always be there to solve every problem for our children. In fact, this isn't OUR job.