What happens when kids don’t have proper problem solving skills?
In last week’s post, we learned they become at risk for depression or suicide in their teens, after a experiencing a stressor.
Therefore – and I’ll sound like a professor here – it’s imperative that parents teach children this skill.
So what do we have today?
A previous post showed us the problem solving process.
I’ll give you a recap in a second, but I’d like to stress that going through the steps below with your kids requires patience and consistency. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect.
- Identifying the problem
- Seeking possible solutions
- Testing the solutions
- Evaluating solutions
Once you have this down, the best thing to do is practice the skill more… the FUN way.
You didn’t really think I’d let you do this without jazzing it up, did you?
Quick note: the activities below can be adjusted depending on your child’s age and skill level.
Let’s go!!!
Flickr via rutty
Fun, fun, fun ways to improve problem solving skills for the kiddos:
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Pull it apart!
One of the best ways to hone problem solving skills is to take a thing apart then put it back together.
Use toys designed to be taken apart such as planes and trucks, or toys that aren’t like dolls. Home items are good candidates too – remote controls, unplugged lamps, tissue holders, etc. - but remember to supervise younger kids.
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Step-by-step
Select an activity like teeth brushing and ask your child to provide all necessary steps to complete the action.
If your child can’t write, take on the task; however, if she can, let her write.
Read each step aloud, do what it says and remember to follow everything down to a T even if the sequence is wrong.
Horray if your child got it right. If not, praise her for trying and then go back to the drawing board.
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Add and add until you succeed
Have your child figure out how many plus signs this string of numbers requires to total 99: 9876543321
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FREE online games
Why pay for learning and fun when you can get it at no cost?
Here are a few brain benders your child will enjoy and benefit from:
Kids Math Games Online has classic games such as the wolf and sheep crossing the river, the frog that needs to hop on all the stones and more.
Net Rover has games like rush hour – where a single red car, blocked by other vehicles has to exit – sudoku (Japanese numbers puzzle game) and tic tac toe.
That should keep you and your kiddo busy for now.
Whether it’s an on- or off-screen challenge, be patient when your child doesn’t get it or becomes frustrated. Depending on your kiddos personality, you’ll know how much (or little) to push her to complete the activity.
In my experience, when kids solve something on their own time and will, the effects are more positive.
Challenge: Choose one activity from the list today to start sharpening your child’s problem solving skills.
Should you run into a problem or have questions, feel free to reach me. I trust you know how.
Do you know any other mom who can benefit from this information? If so, please share it with her by hitting one of the social buttons.
About Anne Mercado
What great, great suggestions! This is something that our kids aren’t taught in a fun challenging way anymore! I love this post. I’m going to show it to my daughter who has a 3 yr old and 1 yr old.
~Erin
This Is The Air I Breathe
Twitter: ErinPatrick
Wow, thanks for sharing this Erin!!
Great post!
Love the ideas. Love the site too. 
I have been noticing BOTH my boys are very independent. Whenever they are at a task, they want to do it without any help. I always let them know I am here if they need help. It’s actually pretty nice, but then my oldest is the one who gets REALLY frustrated if it’s not perfect. You know, he’s the one who would want to fly and it can’t happen? haha He’ll grow out of it.
I like the step by step idea, like with brushing teeth. Teaching them also, HOW to brush teeth, along with ability. Great idea!
Don’t Forget the Cider
I was worried that you’d get sick of the blog haha
But yeah, your kiddo will get over the whole flying thing. If he doesn’t though, at least you know you’ll have a pilot someday!
Anne very good post! Your blog looks great! Thanks for this, and its so true today most of these skills tha our children need to have are not taught to them in this fun way. This is something that I teach all of my kids, also since I homeschool my little ones I teach them this through schooling. Thanks for this. I am going to use one of the suggestions you mentioned.
Oatmeal Banana Nut Cupcake (Whole Wheat)
Hi Pamela! Which activity are you planning on using? Also, glad you like the blog, finally found a great theme I could work with. Also, our good friend Sarah from Sarah: Simply Me has helped a lot, making tweaks here and there
Great tips throughout your site. I’ll definitely be stopping back again. : )
Make Your Own Mattress & Carpet Powder ~ Homemaking 101 Week #2
Mary Beth!! That’s so sweet of you! Well then, I can’t wait to have you back here and welcome to Green Eggs & Moms!
“In my experience, when kids solve something on their own time and will, the effects are more positive.”—- I absolutely agree. It really boosts their confidence.
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Doesn’t it? I used to get frustrated when my kiddo couldn’t solve something right away but soon realized that he’s just like the rest of us adults.
He can step away from a situation and then come back later on to figure it out.
It’s so true! Kids are so proud when they solve a problem themselves, and it truly boosts their confidence.
Lettuce Lake Park
Twitter: VenturesofHome
That’s right
I like the pull it apart…I’ve done something like that with my son and legos–I’ll make something while he’s at school and then have hime pull it apart and put it together again…extra pieces are always FUN challange too.
BTW I’d have totaly saved you a piece of my Kraft Chicken—NEXT TIME LOL
Happiness is…..{{When AMERICA GETS IT RIGHT!!!}}
Twitter: ReviewsSheROTE
Oooh pulling lego apart is safer for younger kids compared to taking remote controls apart haha!
Thank you for saving some of those delicious chicken thingy majiggies for me – so when do I come over?
Great ideas! Great post too. It’s nice to know that things I do for my daughter are beneficial to her … more than just playing.
Day 350 ~ "Embrace" "Depression"… hmmm…
Twitter: cali_gal63
You know, 5 years ago, I would have never thought that simple games can improve certain skills. Glad you are currently doing these for your cute daughter.
Always nice to have you here, Carla.
What fantastic ideas! My 3 1/2 year old is definitely ready for some of these.
Cooling the Dinnertime Crucible in 5 Steps
Twitter: redmestic
Hi Audra! Your kiddo is going to love these! Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you more here:)
Very interesting. Saw it on #parenting daily. The link to the previous article doesn’t work.
Thanks for letting me know about the broken link. Recently changed themes so that may have accounted for it. Anyhoo, thanks for dropping by and in case you wanted to read that link, click here.
I will keep this in mind Anne! Salamat!
SkinWhite and Nuffnang bring you Snow White and the Huntsman
You are welcome, Maye! I think your toddler can do some of the activities here? By the way, it’s nice to see you back here.
As a coach of parents of teens, I wish every parent would read this article! So many teenagers reach adolescence without the ability to problem solve, then feel adrift and are poorly prepared to just plain “do life”! Starting young with intentionally guiding a child’s ability to problem solve is key. Thank you for fantastic suggestions!
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