To be able to solve problems effectively, your child should aim to be exposed to as many ways of handling complex issues throughout their lives. Gradually, over time, with the benefit of taking on a range of problems when they arise, your child will soon be able to naturally pick up cues and when they can be of help to others.
To help your child pick up on their problem solving skills, here are some tips from this prep school in London.
Observe and wait
At a very young age your child is going to come across the first times they’ll have to try and manage their problems. These problems can be as simple as losing a toy behind the sofa, to spilling their food at the table. Start with these kinds of issues first, things that directly relate to your child, and see how they react.
Try not to intervene straight away as it’s important your child can pick these things up for themselves. They may not know what to do, or end up doing the wrong thing, but it’s all still learning!
Offer your child the freedom to give their input
When your child has begun to get the grasp of handling problems, and is able to talk on their own, it’s time to take your child’s skills to the next step. When you’re making decisions together it’s best to offer your child for their input – you may be surprised at what you find your child saying. If you keep facilitating your child’s opinion they’re going to have more chances to change their frame of mind, a great thing to have when trying to solve a problem.
Involve plenty of free play
An environment waiting for your child to explore with plenty of toys and activities will allow them to find problems of their own. In finding problems naturally you’ll find that your child is able to manage what’s going on around them in a way that suits them, and it helps them hone in on their resilience skills.
Patience is definitely a virtue – developing skills is so vital to future success
Sensible advice that, as parents, is easy to forget. Not intervening is quite hard!
Some interesting ideas. Thank you for sharing them