Strong problem-solving ability is a skill that every person needs to survive in the current world. Even adults face a lot of challenges at work and home, and they have to know how to come up with creative solutions that can avert the problem and ensure they do not suffer the loss or damage.
So starting to teach young learners about problem-solving can assist them in making smart decisions in both academics and real life. As children face challenges and learn how to maneuver around them, they tend to become more confident, independent and creative.
Six ways of equipping kids with problem-solving skills
– Using Play-Based Learning
Play-based learning is not only meant to spark children’s curiosity but also to allow them to think. The activities and challenges that children are given help them to think outside the box to find solutions. And as they do this, their problem-solving abilities also improve with time. An example is giving children puzzles to solve or challenging them to build towers with blocks.
– Encouraging Teamwork
Another effective way of enforcing problem-solving skills in kids is allowing them to work in groups often. Working individually can be challenging for most because they do not even know where to start. But as they work in groups, they can learn from one another quickly and also find insights into what they are supposed to be doing.
– Asking Open-Ended Questions
Teachers also need to practice asking kids open-ended questions regularly before explaining to them some concepts or how a certain thing works. For instance, if the child is drawing a house, rather than the teacher telling them directly to include a door, they could instead ask them a question like “how will you enter inside the house” to help them figure out that their house needs a door by themselves.
– Using Real-Life Scenarios
Kids also need to be taught how to behave or solve problems in the real world, and not just puzzles and games. The best example is when two kids are fighting over a particular toy. The teacher should step in and, instead of giving one of them, he/she can ask the kids to think of how both can end up using the toy. They can decide to play together or take turns to play with the toy. Such exposure allows them to apply the problem-solving knowledge in the real world.
– Promoting Creativity and Imagination
Problem-solving encourages kids to think creatively of solutions that can work in certain situations. It should not just be about finding the right answer all the time. The teacher needs to find out from the kids how they arrived at their result to understand their thinking. This will encourage them to think creatively rather than forcing them to cram specific solutions to every problem.
– Teaching Patience and Persistence
It is also important to teach kids that not all problems have quick solutions. Some may need time to think or gather the right tools to solve. Additionally, they should not lose hope with the first trial but keep on trying until they get the right results. For example, when the kids complete building a tower and it accidentally falls before they can even show others, the teacher should encourage them to rebuild it rather than feeling upset or crying.
To sum up…
Problem-solving is a crucial skill that grows with time and practice. The leading kindergarten in Southport assists children in developing strong problem-solving abilities by allowing them to think creatively when solving puzzles and finding solutions to challenges.


