Problem-solving is one of the most important skills. We guide you on how you can help your kid enhance this skill.
Problem-solving is one of the most important skills that you can teach your children at an early age. However, quite often, it goes unnoticed, among other skills.
In this article:
- Enhance your kid's problem-solving skill
- How you can help your kid handle problems themselves
- What guidance should be given to kids
As a parent, you would often feel compelled to solve the problem of your children on your own, but it only increases their dependence on you. It is advisable to make your children aware that making mistakes is fine, but learning is more important. Let’s take a look at how you can groom your children to be better problem solvers.
Ask questions
It is best to ask your kids all the right questions to solve their crises. Ask in a way that will not scare them and make them want to come to you again. You can start by asking whether they can handle the problem on their own. You can also ask them how you can contribute to solving their problem.
Divert requests
In many cases, parents do everything to help solve the problems their children face. Even when they put forward their requests, guide them by providing cues. Their concerns could be anything ranging from their missing toys or annoying siblings.
Guide them
Your children might come up with a request of talking to their teacher regarding their participation in some school events. They would expect you to go and talk to them regarding your selection. You can instead guide them on how they can solve the problem by empowering them to speak for themselves. In extreme cases, you would have to step up and advocate for them. But for smaller issues, they can act on their own, which could help them when they become an adult.
Trust your children
When you empower your children and give them the freedom, it can be natural for you to make them aware of why you trust them. You could tell them to live up to their expectations. More often than not, it will make them wary and scared about the ‘what if’ situation. You will only limit their growth potential by scaring them with your expectations.
One of the golden rules of parenting is to empower your children in the right manner from an early age. The problem-solving qualities need to be nurtured in them over time so that they can become confident individuals when they become adults. This will help them at the later stages in their life when their responsibility towards their education, career, and family increases.
So, tread carefully but also take the plunge. Remember, parenting is all about balance.
(Naved Peerzada is a freelance writer with Children's Community Foundation)
Tell us what you think