Problem Solving

audriechad

Oct 29

2 min read

Updated: 7 days ago

Building Your Child's Toolkit

How our kids explain Problem Solving:

Problem solving means stopping to figure out what's wrong, thinking of different ways to fix it, and trying one out. If it doesn't work, you try another way. Every problem has more than one answer.

Why is it important?

Problems show up every day, from a lost shoe to a friend who won't share. Children who can solve problems feel more in control and less overwhelmed when things don't go as planned. Problem solving also builds flexibility, patience and independence. These are skills children carry into the classroom, friendships and, one day, the workplace.

How does it help?

For children, a problem can quickly turn into big frustration. CADDAC notes that children with ADHD may become easily frustrated and express it in ways that get them in trouble. Psychologist Dr. Ross W. Greene explains that challenging behaviour usually means a child is struggling to meet an expectation, not trying to manipulate or seek attention. His guiding belief is simple: "Kids do well if they can." When children lack skills such as flexibility, frustration tolerance, problem solving and emotion regulation, they need help building those skills, not punishment.

The research is encouraging. In a study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, children who took part in Collaborative Problem Solving with their parents showed significant improvements across several areas of functioning. These gains held at a four-month follow-up and matched or beat those from traditional parent training.

When children help solve their own problems, they feel heard. They also learn that they are capable of fixing things, which builds confidence and lowers stress for the whole family.

Research on adults calls this psychological empowerment: feeling a sense of meaning, control, influence and impact over your own tasks. People who feel empowered tend to be more creative, more satisfied and less stressed. Giving children a real say in solving their problems builds that same sense early.”

Build Problem-Solving Skills at Home with Your Child!

The best time to solve a problem is before it happens again, when everyone is calm. Try these steps together.

Activities to try:

Name the problem. Help your child say it in one sentence: "I can't find my homework."
Get curious first. Ask, "What's making this hard?" and listen before offering ideas.
Brainstorm. List every possible solution, even silly ones. No idea is wrong at this stage.
Pick and try. Choose one idea together that works for everyone, then test it.
Check in. Ask, "Did it work? What would we change next time?"
Think out loud. Share how you solve your own everyday problems so they can hear the steps.
Use a problem-solving card. Keep a visual with four steps: Stop, Think, Try, Check.