One evening, my little one and I went to a vibrant and colourful mela (fair) in our locality that had captivating rides, exhilarating activities, and delightful swings for children. As we were roaming about in the fair enjoying our ice creams, someone came up to us from behind and gently tapped my hand. I turned around to see a small girl sobbing and continuously wiping away tears with her tiny hands. Overwhelmed by concern, I knelt down to the girl’s eye level, comforted her, and gently patted her. When I noticed a glimmer of hope twinkle in her eyes, I inquired about the reason behind her tears in a compassionate voice, not before asking why was she by herself, unescorted by any adults.
She radiated a remarkable skill she possessed.
Taking a deep breath, she began narrating the situation in a step-by-step, precise manner about how she got separated from her parents in the fair. She first introduced herself to me, starting with her name. She spelled out her first name, A-D-I-T-I, and then told me she was 7 years old. Later, she went on to explain her situation nicely.
She told me that as she wandered through the fair with her parents, she became captivated by a colourful carousel spinning in mesmerizing circles. Unable to resist the temptation, she hopped aboard one of the gleaming horses. Lost in her own world of joy, she had failed to tell her parents that she was going on the ride. Her parents had gone forward thinking that she was close behind them, as this was the norm and they didn’t normally hold hands.
When the carousel ride ended she realized she was alone. Panic washed over her, and she started crying.
After hearing her story, we took Aditi to the fair’s concierge. The host reassured her and informed her that her parents would soon be reunited with her. He asked her some personal details, such as her name, her father’s and mother’s names, and contact numbers if she knew of anyone. My little one and I watched as she confidently shared all the asked-for details.
The host was also impressed by Aditi’s confidence, and he immediately made an announcement about the lost child. He contacted the provided numbers so that her parents could reach her as soon as possible. Thanks to the personal details Aditi had memorized, she was quickly reunited with her parents.
To Aditi it felt like an eternity, but in reality, it was only a short while before her parents arrived at the concierge’s desk. Their concerned faces reflected relief as Aditi’s eyes welled up with tears of joy. She ran into her parents’ warm embrace. They were immensely proud of their little girl, and their diligent efforts in teaching her to memorize personal details- such as the spelling of her name, their names, grandparents’ names, complete address along with the PIN* code, nearest police station, post office, and their contact number- had proven to be a lifeline in this moment of distress.
From that day onwards, Aditi’s experience became a powerful anecdote in my life, emphasizing to children and parents alike the importance of memorizing personal details.
Here are some parting words for parents:
Dear parents, I urge you to instill in your children this valuable life skill. The Power of Memorizing Personal Details can prove to be empowering in moments of urgency or emergency. Having these details memorized could be the key to a child’s safety and well-being. Children can also be enlightened about the first steps to take when they get separated from their parents or get lost in a fair or find themselves stranded in unknown places.
Aditi’s experience at the fair teaches everyone a vital lesson: sometimes, the most valuable skills are not the ones measured by academic success but rather the ones that empower children to navigate the world safely.
For your children aged 3 years and above, start emphasizing the importance of memorizing personal details such as spelling of their names, father’s name, mother’s name, grandparents’ names (optional), complete address along with the PIN code, nearest police station, post office, contact number of parents and caregivers (optional), and nationality.
“Things keep changing, evolving and refining in a child’s growing years. Every age is a new stage of exploration, refinement and new growth for them. New tastes, new ways, the new knowingness of themselves keep happening in the growing years.”
She Narrates
We all know children eat better and complain less when they are engaged in planning the meals, or helping in the kitchen garden or making things with their own hands or even helping their parents with the vegetables and fruit shopping.
A surprisingly new discovery for me was that my child also eats better when the food on his plate is neatly arranged, and the plate isn’t big a “hotchpotch”. Yes, my little one did make a mention of the word ‘hotchpotch’ when he was whining seeing the food served on his plate. He eats with his eyes first, which is what I fathomed. Presentation matters to him and many kids. His eating habits are frequently changing these days. He has outgrown his once-upon-a-time favourite plate. He says he wants the same big plate as us. Our plate offers more room to mix foods well, and he is able to move his fingers around to mix foods easily on a big plate. (We like eating with our hands.) And he said, “some days not always” he would like to be served and some days “I would help myself, take the food on my plate the way I like it to be”, “Well, fine! No problem, mum does not mind being a support in your paths of self-discovery!”
So next time you see your child complaining about how and what has been served on their plates, especially when they do it often, know that “it is a sign!” indicating that they are warming up to new tastes, new ways, the new knowingness of themselves, new portions of what appeals the most to their taste buds, what matters more to them, how much is enough etc.
Things keep changing and evolving and refining in a child’s growing years. Every age is like a new stage of exploration, refinement, and new growth for them.
Keep your spirits high and venture into the new, unknown, and unpredictable – full of unexpected twists and turns, adventurous ride with your little ones. Because parenting is the most courageous, adventurous and thrilling sport in the world. *winks*
The world’s second-largest religion, Islam, witnesses about 1.8 billion faithful followers. The Islamic culture has a strong emphasis on monotheism. Islam comes from an Arabic word that means ‘to surrender to God’. It centers its belief on five key elements – the profession of faith, prayer, alms, fasting, and pilgrimage.
It is vital to teach the religious culture and its practice to the younger generation in an authentic and natural way. However, it is challenging to teach the importance and spirit of the culture to children. Thanks to technology, it is getting easier by the day.
Books often outrun the desire for technology and can become one of the prime sources that can impart the knowledge of faith. Also, if you are looking to help your little ones understand their culture and faith more. Or, if you want to broaden their horizon and make them more empathetic toward their Muslim peers, your child can learn a lot from books.
Here is a detailed list of 5 Indian books for children that celebrate the culture and faith of Islam. I have also included a few quotes from the books as well. This is a list that is definitely worth checking out, as they have been written in simple language which are easy for kids to understand.
“Allah and Me” by Vinni Rahman
The tiny chapters of ‘Allah and Me’ have Quran verses, Islamic values and virtues. Author Vinni Rahman has thoughtfully highlighted the importance of prayers, gratitude, charity, and respect one must have for one another.
The small yet meaningful chapters encourage children to learn to live Allah’s way.
“Allah is pleased when a man eats or drinks something and then praises Him for it.”
“Muezza and Baby Jaan, Stories from the Quran” by Anita Nair
A curious baby camel named Jaan and a cat’s friendship is depicted in this book. The camel a djinn-turned-angel, and Prophet’s favourite cat share a ton of teachings of Islam. It mesmerizes the readers with stories like Nuh’s ark, the mighty king Sulaiman, the first man and woman, and much more.
The author has used her imagination brilliantly in building the two creatures. Their journey in an unending desert and the bond between the two is simply stupendous. The storyline is crafted meticulously and the illustrations are a treat for the eyes.
“He began the creation of man from clay”
“Ibrahim’s Sacrifice” by Ziya Us Salam
Ziya Us Salam, a literary critic and author, has written this enthralling book. This book revolves around the religious man Ibrahim and his son Ismail. Prophet Ibrahim was ordered in the dream by Allah to give his only son Ismail as a sacrifice on Mount Arafat. The prophet though loved his son, obeyed Allah’s instructions. But, Allah had something else in store for them. Pick up the book to know what happens.
The author has used a clever tone in narrating the mystery of this story.
“But Prophet Ibrahim was determined to obey Allah’s command. He proceeded with Ismail to Mount Arafat”
“Tell Me About Hajj” by Saniyasnain Khan
Have you been to Hajj? What is it? Why it’s so important?
These questions are all answered in this book by the author. The pilgrimage story begins 4000 years ago. Prophet Ibrahim was gracious and pure in heart. Allah gave him wisdom and made him his best friend. Allah ordered him to travel to present-day Makkah with his family including his son, Ismail.
Author Saniyasnain Khan has made a delightful narration of the story. He explains the importance of Hajj and its teachings. Appealing illustrations to show the iconic places are noteworthy.
“If Allah has ordered you to do so, then he will not let us die”
“The Story of Khadija” by Saniyasnain Khan
Khadija was one of the most dignified women in Islam. She is an inspiration to many believers and is considered to be the worthiest of all women present during the time of Prophet Muhammed. She was noble and wise. She is believed to share her importance as the ‘four ladies of heaven’ along with Mary – the mother of Jesus, Asiyah, and Fathima.
This book portrays the dedication, sacrifice, and hard work of Khadija and the entire family of the Prophet. Khadija dedicated her energy, time and wealth to Islam and has set herself as an example to many.
“She paid extra to each employee for every item he sold.”
Why we love stories rooted in faith?
Faith allows us to take the next bolder step, a constant ray of hope that keeps us all going no matter what or who comes in the way.
Faith is the principal element of all religions. All religions and their practices offer the same message of love & eternal hope. Islam is no exception as faith forms a major part of Islamic culture. Many believers in the past have followed the prophets and their teachings with enormous respect. They have been crucial in enlightening the generations with the teachings of Allah.
We share equal responsibility in uplifting the faith of our children. Nurturing faith and culture need wisdom accompanied by patience. As individuals, we hold a major share in contributing to uplifting the faith of the children. And the above-mentioned books for kids can help you in the journey.
Before closing the blog, here’s something I want to share, something personal with you.
Growing up, I didn’t get to read books about Islamic culture
Growing up, I never had a chance to read about the Islamic faith and their culture at this basic level, and I must acknowledge that I am as young in my knowledge about their faith and culture as is my little one, who is 6- years old at present.
Mmm! Had my intention been not clear enough to read books of all kinds to my child, I would have never arrived at the promotional packets of kids’ books on Islamic culture and faith. To be honest, I did have a lot of resistance to reading these books with my child and writing this far for you.
The more we learn, the more open our world-view becomes
But here’s one thing that I know for sure, these books listed above are good for young readers and can set the stage for young ones to spark conversations about the Islamic faith, culture, tradition and Muslim protagonists. The list also makes for a good read during Ramadan and Eid or all year long.
Wishing that you and your little ones get to learn a bit more about Islamic culture and faith from this blog and from these books listed above.
Keep reading to your child and always take out some time to have a happy reading time to and with your child. There’s nothing better than reading aloud to children!
Happy Reading!
P.S.- This is also a featured post on Women’s Web, and the link to this blog is HERE!
“Because his works are like celebrating literature, culture and patriotic values.”
First Asian poet, novelist, playwright, composer, and pioneering educator, Nobel Prize winner, Rabindranath Tagore was born in Kolkata in 1861 and passed away in 1941. He was born into a family whose roots were steeped in culture – art, music and literature. Some say that he penned his first poem when he was just eight. Many considered him as one of the most influential literary figures among Indian writers. Everyone acknowledged him as the “Bard of Bengal”.
Rabindranath Tagore is also recognized for the composition of India’s national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana”, and that of Bangladesh, “Amar Shonar Bangla”. Most importantly, he was one of the major Indian writers who believed that children should be endowed with literature of high quality.
He loved the idea of incorporating the concept of childhood in his works. As a matter of fact, childhood was the major source of inspiration for all his well-known writings. His poems, plays, short stories, and novels all revolved around the young readers. According to Tagore, childhood is that one phase in life that represents the perfect example of human existence.
One of the major themes of many of his works is centered on the tender relationship between a mother and child. This is so because Tagore lost his mother when he was only a child. Unfortunately, he also lost his wife when he was only 29 and had to be both a father and mother to his children. In an attempt to get back on his feet and bring up his children, he wrote quite a lot of poems.
Tagore’s works are moralistic, and the best sort of books parents can give to their children. His books also open the doors to information about life in the 20th century giving us a glimpse of what India was like then.
A few of his acclaimed works to explore with children are:
The Little Big Man
Growing up, almost every child dreams of fitting into their elders’ shoes. And nearly all of us have tried on our elder’s shoes at home. Have you too? Let us know in the comments section below.
Well, the story in the poem ‘The Little Big Man’ is about a young boy who too tries on his father’s shoes, almost every day, but it is of no avail. ‘The Little Big Man’ is more than a poem; it’s a feeling, a feeling that both a child and an adult can relate to while reading. What it is like for a child to wear his father’s shoes, the desire to grow up fast, understand the world of responsibilities adults have… all of it has been beautifully crafted in the magical verses by Tagore!
So, it is a must-have for all, and recommended age group for this book is 3+ years.
The Astronomer
The book is essentially a conversation between a young girl and her elder brother. The entire story in this poem focuses on the girl’s belief that she can catch the moon and her attempts to persuade his brother. Pick up the book and catch the moon through their eyes.
It is a short narrative poem appropriate for children 5+ years.
Kabuliwala
This classic Bengali story is about a five-year-old Bengali girl and an Afghan moneylender who form an incredible bond; this story is full of emotions and humour. Tagore also addresses a number of social evil practises, such as child marriage and education of girls.
Kabuliwala’s narrative is appropriate for children aged 7 to 14.
Clouds and Waves
Clouds and Waves is a poem about a young boy who prefers to spend time with his mother over playing with his friends. In the company of his mother, the youngster appears to be really content and joyful. The Clouds & Waves story will surely appeal to children aged 9 to 14.
The Prince and Other Modern Fables
This classic collection of short stories will be easily understood by children aged 9 to 14. It is a compilation of several short stories revealing the simple truths of life. It consists of accounts of a young boy who loses his mother to a tribal girl who is misunderstood as a fairy. Do explore the stories with your children!
The Land of Cards: Stories, Poems and Plays for Children
This collection brings together many iconic Tagore titles. The title piece, ‘The Land of Cards,’ is a parody of the orthodoxy of rules, while in ‘The Post Office,’ a boy feels suffocated by his constrained environment and fantasizes about freedom in the world outside.
Tagore’s works demonstrate his compassion and deep awareness of human relationships, from a son’s cherished yearning to protect his mother in the poem ‘Hero’ to a fruit-seller’s longings for his daughter staying far away.
Children between the ages of 14 and 18 will understand the stories readily.
To Sum Up
The collection of notable stories not only helps expand children’s vocabulary, but also helps improve their English. Each narrative contains a moral that will aid in the social and moral growth of children.
Rabindranath Tagore’s works are a source of delight for both children and adults alike.
For a child to come up with imaginative and fascinating ideas, chances are he or she is a bookworm at heart. Imagination & thinking out of the box for a child mostly comes from the environment that majorly comprises of different books that he/she has been reading.
Encouraging our little ones to read from a very young age undoubtedly stimulates their imagination and cognitive thinking. As Taylor Swift puts it, “Books train your mind to imagination to think big.”
As parents, it is understandable that we want the right kind of books, that are age-appropriate and from the established and most trusted publication houses. To meet this need, I am enlisting a few popular and sought-after publication houses for children’s books.
Here are the recommended ones:
Penguin Books
A British publishing house founded in 1935, has been successfully publishing high-quality fiction, non-fiction, classic and audiobooks for children between six to fourteen years of age. This publishing house has its presence in different countries across the world – the US, India, Australia, and Canada to name a few.
Puffin Books
Puffin Books publishers were founded in 1940 in the UK. In 1988, Penguin merged with New American Library and Dutton and created a new powerhouse Puffin list. It is one of the leading children’s book publishers in the world. It was established on the grounds of strong literary traditions. It successfully publishes a mix of classic children’s fiction and new literature. It caters to children between seven to nine years of age.
HarperCollins Children’s Books
The Book publishing house is home to a few of the most popular authors of children’s literature today. It mainly focuses on publishing content on interactive games and enhanced learning tools for children.
Walker Books
It is an Australian independent book publishing house that is well known for issuing books and content for children of all ages. It includes story and picture books that centre around the themes of nature and animals.
Tulika Books
It is an Indian independent book publisher that was founded in 1996. Its focus is on publishing picture books in other Indian languages apart from English for children. Books addressing diversity and inclusion written from Indian perspective and mindset by the Indian Authors are what we like about them a lot.
Oxford Owl or Oxford
A UK book publisher bringing out books for children between six to fourteen years of age. It focuses on publishing content with creative graphics and compelling narratives. It also includes a wide selection of academic and story books.
Templar
Templar, established in 1987, is one of the well-respected book publishers for children across the world. It caters to young readers of all ages. It publishes fiction, non-fiction, picture books in 25 different languages across 50 countries.
Usborne
Usborne is a leading independent family-owned business. It provides high-quality content for children of all ages. It has branches worldwide and publishes books in English and 130 other languages.
Piccadilly Press
A publishing house that caters to children between five to twelve years of age They publish books with genres centred around fun, and family. It aims at creating classics in various formats such as hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audio.
Ladybird
Ladybird is a publishing business established in London that focuses on children aged three to five. Its goal is to create a love of reading in youngsters. Ladybird publishes books in a variety of genres, including phonics, vocabulary, and sentence structure, as well as building skills of reading, listening, speaking, writing, and critical thinking.
Disney Books
It is a well-known book publishing firm that specializes in picture books for children aged three to five years old.
BloomsburyPublishing
Bloomsbury Publishing Inc. is a book publishing company whose books are well-loved and read by both children (aged nine and above) and parents alike. It includes books written by J.K Rowling, Katherine Rundell, Catherine Doyle, Ben Bailey Smith, Katya Balen, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Renée Watson, Greg James and Chris Smith, and Neil Gaiman to name a few.
ScholasticBooks
This book publishing firm focuses on the needs of students in schools. Its goal is to foster children’s intellectual and personal development. It covers all types of academic learning.
Macmillan Children’sBooks(Pan Macmillan)
It is a well-known UK-based publishing house that has been producing fascinating and adventurous children’s books for over 150 years. It was the first to print The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and The Jungle Book, two great works. They are home to classic picture books such as The Gruffalo, Dear Zoo, Peace at Last. Books for children zero to teen are extensive out here and best-selling too.
DK (Dorling Kindersley) publishers
DK publishers is an award-winning book-selling firm catering to kids of all ages. It includes fun and factual content from dinosaurs, to craft activities besides other genres.
To sum up
When you encourage your children to read from an early age it enhances not just their vocabulary but also their level of imagination. It helps them to see the world in a different light from the pages of the books they read. Each of the above publication houses is our go-to book publishing company to buy children’s books. These are a few well-known publishers we know catering to a large number of children’s tastes and interests.
If this list recommendation helped you, let us know by liking the post, leaving us a feedback and support us by sharing the post with other parents. Thank you.
A child’s mind is delicate, sensitive and can be moulded like clay. At a tender age, words have a significant impact. If provided with good learning experiences, children will bloom into compassionate and empathetic individuals respecting and caring for one and all.
By reading books on diverse subjects that encompass different cultures, genders, and the numerous differences that exist in the world gives them the opportunity to think critically about their own beliefs and examine the world with different perspectives. Through reading, children can be educated about people and situations and diversity, thereby developing an inclusive mindset.
This is a specially curated list of ten books by Indian authors that address diversity and inclusion from Indian perspective and mindset.
“What is a girl? What is a boy” by Kamla Bhasin; Publishers: Shtrii Shakti
The theme of this book is diversity, gender, patriarchy, and socially defined gender markers. The book talks about a sensitive social topic in a uniquely reassuring way. Children are naturally unbiased; they do not have the concept of individual differences. Society and cultural influences shape a child’s mind to discriminate between genders, castes, appearances, and races affecting both boys and girls.
Children will learn that everybody can realise their full potential, be it a boy or a girl, and no one should be stereotyped based on gender, caste, or creed. This book is appropriate for children aged 8-10 years.
“How I taught my grandmother to read and other stories” by Sudha Murty; Publishers: Puffin
The theme of this value-oriented storybook is love, independence, determination, and happiness.
The story is about a grandmother who wants to learn to read at the age of sixty-two and become independent. She requests her 12-year-old granddaughter to teach her the alphabet. The story, penned in simple words, shows the bond and deep respect the granddaughter has for her grandmother.
Something unusual happens when the grandmother is able to read any novel confidently in a short span. Read on to find out more.
The story teaches children to be compassionate and love their grandparents. If one is determined, one can achieve anything at any age. The collection of other stories also imparts valuable moral lessons on empathy, the importance of doing what one believes in and pursuing one’s dreams. This is appropriate for children aged 5 -10 years.
“Gulli’s Box of Things” by Anupama Ajinkya Apte; Publishers: Pratham Books
‘Every problem has a solution when we start viewing problems as possibilities.’
Hinged on above message for children, this picture book is primarily on problem-solving and value education. Gulli is a little boy who has a big box containing several valuable things, which he uses to fix anything, from grandpa’s broken glasses to grandmother’s needle, he helps everyone at home.
Children can learn to find solutions for all simple things, get to know age-related diverse challenges, and learn to respect elders, be compassionate, kind and helpful.
Pick this book for your children if they’re in the age group 3-8 years.
“The Unboy Boy” by Richa Jha; Publishers: Snuggle with picture books
It is a picture book based on gender identity, self-esteem, and bravery. The story revolves around a boy named Gagan. He is a sensitive child and hates violence. He is made fun of by his grandfather and friends, but his mother understands his lovely and gentle side and is proud of him. Gagan proves everybody wrong by rescuing a group member’s cat from darkness, as he turns out to be the only one to be courageous despite being soft-hearted.
Children can learn to accept themselves and not fall a prey to gender stereotypes. Labels like ‘un-boy boy’ or ‘un-girl girl’ must never be used for children. And this book is ideal for children aged 5-8 years.
“Pink and Blue” by Ritu Vaishnav; Publishers: Penguin, India
“Pink and Blue” is based on gender stereotypes. A mother converses about gender stereotypes with her child in a light-hearted playful way. The book uses daily situations in a child’s life to bring to the fore gender-based unreasonable views of people. The book beautifully conveys that children can be themselves, do anything and not stick to gender stereotypes. So, a boy can cry, and a girl can kick! This book also encourages children to question, think logically and not follow anything or anybody blindly.
This book is a good pick for children aged 3-6 years.
“Bhimrao Ambedkar: The Boy who asked why” by Soumya Rajendran;Publishers: Tulika
This biography in picture form is based on social injustice and caste prejudice. The book sheds light on the life of the drafter of the Constitution of India ‘Shri Bhimrao Ambedkar,’ of India who fought for Dalits and protested against untouchability and inhumanity.
Children will be inspired to ask their own whys and learn to appreciate egalitarian values. This book is appropriate for children aged 6-8 years.
“The Mustache Man” by Priya Ramanathan; Publishers: Karadi Tales
The theme of this book is ‘Unity in Diversity’. It is a fun-filled picture book, colourfully illustrated in bright pink, blue, and black watercolours revolving around a perfect village named ‘Nekgaon’ and its people. But things change when ‘Mustaki’ steps into the village with his magic box- a box that reveals the dark secrets of the villagers. To get answers, one should have a moustache. And so, the people start growing moustaches. Find all of this in this hilarious book about gossip and moustaches!
A good book for children to learn acceptance and appreciate differences. Nobody is perfect, and one can learn from their mistakes and grow. It is perfect for children aged 7-9 years.
“The Why – Why Girl” by Mahasweta Devi; Publishers: Tulika
This picture book by Mahasweta Devi focuses on the theme of “feminism”. The story revolves around a 10-year-old rural Shabar tribal girl Moyna who is inquisitive and asks questions to the narrator on social disparity and gender discrimination, and hence Moyna is the Why-Why girl. The narrator tells Moyna that she will get all her answers in the books, so she decides to read. At 18, Moyna grows up to become a teacher and encourages her students to ask questions.
This book beautifully depicts the innate curiosity of a child to ask questions. Curiosity leads to creative thinking and achievement. The book is appropriate for children aged 4 to 9 years.
“Different Differenter” by Jyoti Gupta; Publishers: Colo(u)rism Project
It’s an activity book based on racism and cultural pluralism. There are 14 fun activities to help children ask questions about skin colour and its bias which leads to caste, cultural, ethnic, racial, or class-based differences. A combination of science and arts answers questions on serious and sensitive topics. Children will learn about social justice and how to cultivate healthy relationships and respect for diverse cultures and identities.
It is appropriate for children aged 5-7 years.
“Why are you afraid to hold my hand? ” by Sheila Dhir; Publishers: Tulika
This book is based on the theme of diversity. The story revolves around a child with Cerebral Palsy. It clears the misconceptions that people have about differently-abled children. It’s written in verse with illustrations and is the celebration of the abilities of differently-abled children. The book’s message is to raise awareness and change attitudes toward people with disabilities and to create an inclusive mindset.
Children will get to learn about cerebral palsy and learn to appreciate differently-abled people. This book is a good pick for children aged 5-10 years.
Bottom Line
Parents always want the best for their children and want them growing into individuals with positive mindsets of humanitarian values that will bring about happiness and joy. Taking small steps by orienting them in the right direction will go a long way in making them joyful and empathetic human beings.
For more books on Diversity and Inclusion for children, please visit the link here.
As infants, children are dependent on their parents for pretty much everything, feeding, cleaning, sleeping, and going around. Once they start walking, even though they hold their parents’ hand they become slightly independent. After a couple more years, they become way more independent as they start talking, walking, running, and playing around all by themselves. As they step into their teenage years, they become more self-reliant and then enter into adulthood, where they require minimal or no guidance. But growing up is not easy, there are a lot of challenges that children face, problems and conflicts within and in their outer environment.
So, how can we make our children independent where they can solve their problems in their personal & professional lives without help from outside of themselves – parents or others? How can we shape their growth and problem-solving mindset? What habits or skills can they carry into their adulthood that makes them confident, self-reliant and with a can-do attitude?
The simple way is developing a problem-solving mindset and teaching problem-solving skills. Good, relevant open-ended questions are one of the best ways to achieve this. You can explore other ways here, also to know why children need problem-solving skills early on. Can we teach Problem Solving to young children, as young as 3-year-olds or less? Follow this blog.
Now coming to…
What are open-ended questions?
Simply put, open-ended questions cannot be answered with a single word answer like ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. They begin with one of the six, 5W and/or H, these are Why? What? Where? When? Who/Whom? And How?
Thus, it’s not about telling them what to do; instead, it’s making them consider solutions and options through a question-answer or brainstorming approach. Through this, they get deeper into thinking creatively. These questions do not have any right/wrong answers. Instead, they can be all-inclusive, which becomes a good practice for developing children’s thinking abilities.
Open-ended questions stimulate a child’s mind as they make them think deeper and garner interest in varied topics. Curiosity leads to more amicable solutions and opens the door for different ideas & opinions. Other benefits are:
Strengthen relations between child-parent/mentor.
Improves confidence & communication skills of the child.
Help develop functional skills naturally, which children can execute in various stages of life.
Make children more responsible, they learn to own their actions.
Enhances the engagement level of children and makes them focused.
Allows children to gain faith in sharing difficult situations with their parents/mentors.
How can you ask open-ended questions?
Start with asking general questions about daily activities.
Questions have to be asked as per children’s age. Make sure you ask as per their vocabulary skills.
Make it like an open-ended conversation rather than instruction based.
Use encouraging questions.
Don’t jump to conclusions very soon.
Do not force your problem-solving solution or decision.
Here are a few examples of open-ended questions for developing problem-solving skills that can be asked to a child when she gets stuck in a given situation:
What are you doing?
Before getting deep into the problem, ask what the child is doing. Don’t directly start examining the situation.
What happened?
This must come from the child’s side. Even if you already know the problem, courteously ask the child.
What do you think is the problem?
Let the child identify the problem and tell you. Sometimes children know the problem but can’t explain it or may be hesitant to tell as they fear being reprimanded.
How did this happen?
This question itself will bring out a solution in the answer. Try digging more into it.
Why do you think this happened?
This would be like an extension of an earlier question to get a more comprehensive answer.
Do you have any solution in mind?
This question will finally reveal what is there in the child’s mind.
Do you think it will work?
This will help the child analyze the problem and or the solution.
What will happen if you act like this or the other way around?
This will help in identifying the problem from various angles and getting multiple solutions.
Which part is the toughest?
This will help them weigh the solution and choose the easiest & exact problem.
What can be the consequence?
Here they will get ready for backup as they know what will work.
How can you avoid this situation in future?
Children get prepared for avoiding mistakes & ready to face challenges in future.
What did you learn?
Each experience gives learning, and realizing what they have learnt from their actions is the best learning.
How do you feel now?
As parents/mentors, we need to find out about the feelings of our little ones – whether they are happy, satisfied, anxious, or confused. Along with the practical solutions, it’s essential to know their emotional make-up and feelings. Having control of one’s feelings is equally important while working on something.
Bottom Line
We live in a multifarious and unpredictable world. Here we come across problems anywhere, anytime. In this backdrop, open-ended questions for problem-solving can do wonders for young ones in the long haul.
One can practice questioning even while playing with children or reading storybooks. Just take up an incident and start conversing. One need not wait for a problem to occur.
Open-ended questions for problem-solving help children make decisions to resolve a problem and help adults appropriately guide them without dictating terms.
Remember that whatever questions you ask children, they should be leading, not influencing or facilitating, making them think & answer.
Watching movies or sitcoms with children is the easiest way to build that elusive bond with your children as it gives you insights to understand the children better. What moves them, what tickles their funny bones, what concerns them and when do they become quiet. In addition to being fun, it can help kids learn new words, languages, and values as well as expand vocabulary and relieve stress.
Children are like a ball of energy, and they love to watch movies of all genres. The little ones especially like the ones that have lively and colourful characters.
So, here is the list of binge-worthy movies and sitcoms that are not only entertaining, funny, and magical but also teach some great lessons about life – subtly, though.
Ho-Ho! Holidays are also here, and you have all the more reasons to plan out movie nights with your little ones and family. Without further ado, make this list yours and let us know which ones you’ve watched during the holidays; we are all ears.
Here goes:
Kung Fu Panda
Kung Fu Panda, the most fantastic animated movie of all time, holds a special place in the heart of almost everyone. With anthropomorphic animal characters, this movie is more than its title. It is about a panda named Po who has Kung Fu talents, but he is unaware of it. His high-kicking adventure begins when he gets chosen to protect his valley from the vicious snow leopard, Tai Lung.
With a balanced combination of action, comedy, and entertainment, ‘Kung Fu Panda’ is a must-watch family film. It is an entertaining film for every age group as it teaches some of the greatest life lessons. It elucidates that the power you seek outside lies within you, and you can explore this power by being you, the real You.
Finding Nemo
Filled with heart-pounding moments, ‘Finding Nemo’ is a story about Marlin, a clownfish, and his overprotective instincts toward his son Nemo. In the movie, Marlin ventures off to rescue Nemo when it is taken away by some scuba divers and placed into a fish tank at a dental office to eventually be given as a birthday gift to the dentist’s niece Darla. And Darla is known to kill her fish. How Marlin finds his way to his son is innovative and absolutely an engaging journey!
The line by Nigel, the Pelican, “Fish got to swim, birds got to eat.” in the film is quite thought-provoking. If you realize, there are actually no real villains, they’re just creatures that act according to their nature, and there are only a few that rise above it.
Nemo is a Greek word for “nobody”. So, in reality, Marlin, the clownfish who has over-caring instincts for his son, is finding no one but ‘Himself’. On the voyage, Marlin learns to rise above his own fears. He learns to be more adventurous and exploratory; he also receives timely parenting tips from a surfer fellow, a turtle, while his son Nemo learns to live on his own on the other side, self-reliantly.
The best thing about this film is that you find yourself warmly invested in it as soon as the movie begins. With its simple plot, this movie has several memorable characters and relatable events that will stay with you even after it ends. ‘Finding Nemo’ is a perfect family movie with an unexpected, entertaining, action-packed adventure.
How to Train your Dragon
This movie is a must-watch for children who are fascinated with dragons. It has an equal amount of fun and emotional moments between the characters and its events that make it memorable. ‘How to Train your Dragon’ is a story about a teenage boy named Hiccup who lives on the island of Berk with his family. He aspires to hunt dragons and wants to join others in the town’s fight against the dragons that often raid his town. Despite the fact that everyone perceives him as small, weak and unfit for it, Hiccup ventures out and catches Night Fury, the rarest dragon species, and tries to kill it, but he is unable to do so. Eventually, they form a friendly relationship with each other. Hiccup learns that his people have misjudged the species and that there may be more to the creatures than he and others assume about them.
You are introduced to the theme and all the characters in the first five minutes of this movie, making it intriguing and keeping you hooked until the end. This movie comes as a blast full of animated series and is loved by one and all.
Mr. Young
Mr. Young is a Canadian sitcom meant for younger kids. It is a story about a child prodigy named Adam Young who enters college at the age of nine years, and by age fourteen, he begins his career teaching science to high schoolers. This show has many likeable and funny characters that can bring a smile to everyone’s face.
This sitcom is a recommended watch for children aged 6 or above.
The show presents the daily challenges faced by Adam in such a comical way that it is sure to give your family an enjoyable laugh. So are you ready to explore the extraordinary life of Mr. Young?
Ratatouille
An inspiring story with a touch of humour, ‘Ratatouille’ follows a rat named Remy whose dream is to become a chef, but no one in his family truly supports his dream. Then something happens, and Remy meets a boy named Linguini and gets a chance to showcase his culinary skills with the condition that he keeps his identity hidden.
This movie conveys the same dilemma we feel when we want to pursue something but start doubting our capabilities, especially when nobody supports us or believes in us. This movie also shows how Remy overcomes his hesitancy and fulfills his dream. It’s a sure delight.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
If your little ones want to experience the fantastical rollercoaster ride with chocolatey goodness, then Charlie and the Chocolate factory won’t disappoint them. It is a classic movie that follows a boy named Charlie who wins a contest and gets a chance to tour the magical candy-making factory of Willy Wonka.
Although this movie has scenes that will make you burst into laughter, it also teaches some moral values like-
How one’s greediness can get them in trouble and
Being grateful for small things in life matters.
With a perfect dose of comedy, songs, and magic, this movie is for everyone.
Up
“You are never too old to live your dream.”
‘Up’ is a heartwarming and unforgettable film that shows the life of a seventy-eight-year-old widower named Carl, who one day sets off on a lifelong journey; a journey that he once wanted to set out on with his late wife. An uninvited passenger named Russel, an eight-year-old boy, joins him as he ventures off, making Carl’s voyage completely different from what he had ever imagined.
With adventure and comedy, this movie also takes you along heart-touching moments that show the endearing bond between Carl and his wife Ellie and how she’s still alive in his memories even after her death.
The Kids Are Alright
A fantastic sitcom that shows the family dynamics that anyone can relate with. Each of its episodes revolves around a catholic family raising eight sons. Even though the cast is mega, each character has their own personality. One thing that makes it distinct from other family sitcoms is the way they discuss the sensitive topics and issues, making it a classic watch.
Today’s kids majorly think about mobile phones and social media as a source of enjoyment, but this sitcom describes a family that enjoys each other’s company more than anything in the world. ‘The Kids are Alright’ is a must-watch show.
Baby’s Day Out
Baby’s Day Out is a movie that was made especially for children. This film revolves around a baby who has a great time with himself but gives a tough time to three thieves. Essentially, it is a story where a trio of kidnappers kidnaps a baby to get some money but soon find that the baby causes too much trouble for them to handle. Some of the scenes feel irrational, but the baby’s innocence and mischievous acts make those scenes enjoyable.
In a nutshell, this movie has many laugh-out-loud scenes that will surely bring a smile to your child’s face.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
It will not be wrong to say that Harry Potter is not just a movie; it is an emotion that opens the doors of the fantasy world for many kids. Based on the eight-novel series written by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter is a story about a boy named Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione, who enter Hogwarts School to learn witchcraft. There they learn spells, uncover secrets, and develop a family bond with every member.
This movie gave a new wing of creativity and imagination to many 90s kids. So, don’t be surprised if, after watching Harry Potter, your kid asks for a Hogwarts letter.
Diary of A Wimpy Kid
Based on the bestselling book, ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ is a coming of age story about a boy named Greg who is a new entrant to middle school, but his bizarre personality makes his middle school life difficult. To attain the recognition and status that he feels he deserves, Greg devises an endless number of inevitable plans, all of which fail. And he pens all of them down on paper, in a journal. ‘Diary of A Wimpy Kid’ is a pretty entertaining movie that will make you and your children laugh and rekindle some good old memories.
Also, this movie presents meaningful discussions that every parent must have with their children. Do watch this movie with your little ones!
Coco
A perfect Holiday movie for kids, Coco is a heart touching story that unfolds magnificently to give you and your little ones a delightful experience. It is about a boy named Miguel who aspires to become a musician. In his attic room, he listens to the Late Ernesto De La Cruz’s music and wants to become a famous musician like him, but his family is completely against his dream. One day Miguel tries to steal the guitar of Ernesto Del La Cruz from his grave, and in doing so, he finds himself in the land of the dead. There he finds many of his dead relatives and tries to figure out why his family thinks of music as a curse.
This movie has comical characters with a lot of surprises that make it appreciable among kids and is a perfect movie to be watched by one and all.
Ending Note
Movies and sitcoms mentioned above are available on different OTT platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney Hotstar. So, if you are ready to have some fun laughs and memorable moments with your little ones, give a shout out! Seize the above list!
Cheers! And have a happy time with your little ones!
And please don’t forget to share the movies you’ve watched during the holidays. We would like to give you a shout out too on our pages. Share share share!
Holidays are an amazing period – to relax and to get refreshed. We all need breaks from our busy schedules and routines, and so do our children.
After a long and tedious routine of school and exams, children’s excitement and curiosity have already set in for the holidays which are waiting just around the corner. However, sometimes managing children’s free time becomes quite challenging and tough. To think of ways to keep children creatively engaged and active during their holidays to avoid boredom and them wasting time is quite an uphill task for many parents.
But, let me tell you this, getting bored is a good thing for children, and we must allow them the boredom space from time to time. Children not only learn how to manage their free time proactively by exploring ways to handle boredom in an efficient way, but they also develop independence and ownership of their own happiness and well-being.
Let us face it; whether one is an adult or a child, we all have been confronted with boredom at some point of time in our lives. We have almost always looked for ways to tackle it proactively and efficiently and the best part is – that we’ve mostly responded by doing something we genuinely enjoy doing e.g., invested ourselves in learning new things, returning to our favourite hobbies, or enhancing one’s creative skills. This helps in channelizing our energy and time productively.
For young children, urge them to listen to the audio story, “Jason Helps Out“. Children are sure to empathize with Jason and come to understand that they are not alone and will be able to learn how to utilize one’s own free time in doing something new, creative and useful. This story will help them take charge of their free time and respond to boredom with excitement.
One of the best practices that I know of is- to sit with our children and chart out their activities every morning and share the length of time they’re expected to engage with each activity on the list. This will assure them that they’re not on their own and will help them stay on activities/tasks more enthusiastically and happily, looking forward to each day with eager eyes. How to structure one’s own time is also important for them to learn so that they can eventually do it independently.
Returning to the topic, consider these top 12 activities to engage kids and keep their young minds creatively occupied and active during holidays.
Here goes…
Play games
Fresh air and exercise are essential for children during holidays to be physically fit and healthy, else laziness will make its way in. Encourage them to go out and stretch. Pick their favourite outdoor activity- cycling, skating, swimming, basketball or simply play hide and seek with friends. Visiting nearby parks and having fun with equipment like slides, see-saw, merry-go-round, swings and kids’ gym are other good options.
Similarly, indoor games are fun and exciting to keep them mentally active. Go for playing board games with your children, remind them to solve jigsaw puzzles, or play Name-Place-Animal with siblings or friends by picking random letters of the alphabet.
Some classic childhood games that teach important life skills can be found here.
Aim for ‘Recreational Reading’ time to inspire the love of reading.
Inculcate the habit of readingand help them make books their life-long friends!
Reading helps them grow mentally, psychologically and emotionally. It improves concentration and imagination power, enhances creativity, and improves language and vocabulary skills. Visit nearby libraries; read aloud book/s of their choice before bedtime –short picture books, graphic novels and comics or even academic books. Remember, every book is worth reading!
Take a Walk in Nature
Move outdoors and immerse in the beauty of Mother Nature. Nature trips relax the minds and promote observation skills in children.
Choose a garden, riverside or explore the neighbourhood. Accompany your children in the mornings when it is peaceful and quiet all around. Feel the crisp air, walk on the green grass, hug tall trees and observe flowers blooming in the warmth of sunrise. Listen to birds’ melodious songs, and watch for bugs, animals, and flies.
The first thing that I like to do whenever we go out to any new place is, ask my child to list down (orally) 5 or 10 things he saw, heard and noticed around. With this approach, I have seen a child usually zooms in and becomes mindful of the surroundings he/she is in to appreciate the environment a little more. Try this with your little ones too and let me know if it was a helpful tip or not!
Alternatively, plan some evenings with your children to witness a scenic sunset and stargazing in the night sky to have a memorable experience of the natural world.
Gardening
Gardening is a fun way for children to be innovative and to stay close to nature. Children like digging in the dirt and are happy to mess around in the mud and get all dirty!
Planting is an easy activity – and all you got to do is collect some seedlings, find a small patch of soil in the garden or arrange planters. Next, assist your children in planting some veggies or flowers; encourage them to water those plants every day and to notice how they grow. This activity teaches a part of Science- Plant growth and Photosynthesis.
Also, watering daily develops a sense of responsibility among children, and eating what they are growing gives them immense happiness and satisfaction.
So, keep time for gardening during the holidays. If you want to foster gardening as a lifelong therapeutic me-time with nature, then keep a window for it in your child’s daily planner!
Sort out old toys andorganize the room
The bedroom plays a significant role for a child. It is that favourite and precious space in the whole house, where they dedicate maximum hours of a day. During holidays, if the family outing is not on the list, this part of the house becomes all the more important for children.
So, during vacation, encouraging them to sort old toys and donate what is no longer in use can help promote empathy, creativity and enthusiasm in them. Dusting off the photo frames and bookshelves; moving a table, a couch or a bed; rearranging the wardrobe can help block out distractions. Children feel more joyful and self-regulated when their room has a calm and pleasant ambience.
Be a Chef and Don the Chef’s Hat
There is something in cooking for all. And children too can try their skills as Chefs. Cooking in the kitchen with adult supervision will teach them the importance of hygiene and nutrition.
Begin with some easy stuff like fruit salad, milkshake, smoothie, fruit juices, making popsicles, cracking an egg or making sandwiches. This activity will boost their confidence once their dish is ready and enjoyed by all.
Dear Parents, keep calm and maintain patience as kitchen mess happens for sure. But children can be enrolled in clearing the clutter too!
Learn New Skills
Vacations are great opportunities for children to learn new things. Investing this time in learning something new, one that interests and inspires them- like playing an instrument, some form of dance, fine arts, learning a new language or creative writing- can help in tapping their talent and assist them in becoming more innovative and skilled. Access YouTube channels, ‘how-to’ resources and other available online resources without investing more money.
Go Crafty
One of the excellent ways to spend time during the holidays is doing arts and crafts. It goes well for all ages. Get those drawing sheets, paints, crayons, and sketch pens and turn on your child’s creativity and imagination in the artwork; get engaged with them. Those interested can indulge in jewellery making art using beads, wire and clasps. It gives a proud feeling to wear a piece created by oneself. Other forms of crafting include knitting, nail art, embroidery, papercraft and rock painting. Go Crafty!
Water play
Water play offers an excellent sensory experience to children and adults alike. It also enhances gross motor skills and sensory exploration. Washing the family car or any vehicle, upcycling a plastic bottle and using it as a sprinkler, playing with water balloons and water guns, going out fishing, and swimming are a few water play therapeutic activities that offer lots of learning opportunities. Inflatable bathtubs are an excellent option to enjoy a calm bath at home or in the backyard.
Water activities are always energetic and entertaining. And it is an excellent way to have fun and stay cool! But avoid wasting water and encourage children to use it consciously!
Create Vacation Journal and make memories
Children can engage themselves in writing their thoughts, ideas and experiences.
Ask your children to prepare a fancy scrapbook or Daily Journal and design it attractively using colourful stationery, stamps, smileys etc.
Help them express what they want to be, do, and have by making self-portraits. They can add or draw photos of special moments and write notes on them. Let this journal be a lovely memory for the future. Indulging children in such activities develops innovative skills, improves writing skills and brings out the hidden talent too.
Listen to Audio stories
A well-paced narration and a comforting audio story with a moral message empower the young and impressionable minds in many ways. Make the most out of the opportunities with the audio stories available online during vacation.
If you are wondering where you can encourage your children to listen to empowering yet entertaining audio stories. Well, well, audio stories curated with care, especially for little ones at ‘Storyland’ by ‘She Narrates’ are our recommendation! These are for free! So, make the best use of time with your little ones at ‘Storyland’.
Spend time with Family
The greatest pleasure of all is spending time with family. Collect those priceless moments and not the things. Go for picnics, camping and road trips. If not far, then opt for some close-by beach or garden. Visit a Zoo or Museum and explore the world.
Visit grandparents and other families and share stories over meals. Invite all cousins and aunts to your house and have a bash night. It is thrilling!
Plan a day for shopping. Watch movies together. If nothing, be at home and have a debating chat over snack time.
And finally!!
With these activities, I trust you’ll be able to chart along a daily schedule during children’s holidays efficiently and keep them engaged with fun-filled activities and add sparkles of joy, learning and entertainment. Capture and cherish the special moments. Activities mentioned above will surely bring contentment; feelings of time well-spent, making children also feel more revived to concentrate better when schools reopen.
In today’s unpredictable world of accelerating changes, we are faced with challenges and problems every now and then. While education and qualifications prepare one for the job market, what really prepares a person for this world? Is it the nitty-gritty of routines, everyday tasks, puzzling relationships, or unexpected blockages? What do you think works in this messy mesh?
Having tons of questions about different things is common. In this backdrop, solving problems, understanding the facts, and a reasoning ability appears to be a skill that smoothens everyday living. Enhanced creative thinking in the direction of sorting out both routine and unimagined hackles helps.
So, what is problem-solving? What is the need of learning it consciously? Why suddenly such a thing has come into existence, and how does it work?
Problem creators are common, but problem solvers are very rare! So, let’s turn it all around for our children and us! Let’s embrace the skill of unlocking new and existing! Let’s learn what problem-solving skills are!
What is Problem-solving?
It simply refers to the process of finding a solution to a problem. A person uses his knowledge, experience and the information available to them to solve the problem/s. Therefore, problem-solving is related to the thought processes involved in finding a solution to a given problem. They may be as simple as knowing how to blow up a balloon or as complex as starting a second business.
Having problems is common, and it subsists with anyone and everyone. But solving in a way that they don’t drain us is an art and a skill. An art to come up with solution/s ensuring that the same problem doesn’t show up again, or even if it does, one can deal with it with the greatest ease. This art is known as problem-solving.
What are problem-solving skills? Problem-solving skills refer to specific thinking skills that a person employs when faced with a challenge. Some problems require the use of multiple skills like decision-making skills, fiscal management, negotiation skills, analytical skills (or more) to solve them, and simple ones may require only one or two skills.
Why do children need problem-solving skills early on?
Early childhood development sets the stage for an individual’s future learning, behaviour, and health. Early childhood experiences structure the brain and a child’s ability to learn, interact with others, and respond to daily challenges. Of all the other factors involved in the growth process, problem-solving is one of the most important aspects of a child’s development. Teaching and developing problem-solving skills early on trains a child’s brain to solve problems, create solutions and make faster and better decisions which thereby boosts a child’s confidence, improves their academic performance, and helps them become more resilient to handle complex challenges and make wise decisions as they mature.
Children who can solve their problems independently tend to be happier, more optimistic, and individualistic. They are not easily discouraged or heartbroken by unyielding situations. Thus, it is essential to start developing problem-solving mindsets and skills in children at a young age.
Significance of problem-solving in a child’s development
Problem-solving is a learnable skill, but it cannot be developed instantly. Most of the learning takes place during the early formative years of a child. The benefits of early learning last a very long time, and the beauty of learning anything in the early years is that it happens at a natural pace, in an effortless way. It’s like learning to play an instrument or learning new words. A child’s play itself is full of opportunities that involve solving various tricky situations and finding solutions to problems.
Encouraging problem-solving skills in the growing years helps a child to feel equipped and more in control of their overwhelming emotions when faced with any challenge or a problem. Children with a problem-solving mindset are able to solve problem/s on their own; their minds are more active, productive and creatively occupied.
When problem-solving mindset is encouraged and kept in habit, it becomes an indispensable part of their personality. Children, if taught this skill, can deal with subjects with brilliant reasoning and are sure to excel. Consequently, their positive growth is assured as solutions come rapidly to their minds.
Can we teach Problem Solving to young children as young as 3-year-old and less?
The answer is yes, problem-solving can be taught to young children by exposing them to various creative challenges and situations; and through free play.
You don’t necessarily sit with your 3-year-old child and talk to or “teach” them all about problem-solving. Instead, you would want to create an opportunity for your child to develop this skill. Thinking and finding a solution in your brain is a bit like training your muscles over and over. And eventually, your muscles become more robust and are able to handle more “weight” easily.
So, a child develops problem-solving skills in two ways:
Incidentally – through free play
And through the guided creative opportunities you offer, as a parent
Encouraging thinking through games and activities will help your child develop stronger skills than casually making things happen.
Wondering how young minds can practise problem-solving?
The answer is simple. This can be done by exposing children to more and more age-appropriate real-time situational challenges and solving multiple types of questions, puzzles, and reasoning (for more such ideas, follow the link here). Always start with the easy ones, as it helps in boosting their confidence and in generating interest. Gradually increase the level.
What are the Steps to effective Problem-Solving That Can Help young kids?
Here are the 6 Steps to effective problem-solving for young kids:
Validate their emotions and let them relax
It is more important to validate a child’s emotions before engaging in any conversation or directly getting into problem-solving. Ask them how they feel or what they want before addressing the issue and defining the problem.
Identify the problem
Now, engage in identifying and defining the problem politely to get your children’s attention. Allow them to look into the problem several times, without interrupting them while they’ve first been clearly introduced to the problem. Encourage them to solve it on their own.
Help generate solutions
Let them come up with a bunch of possible solutions. If your child finds it difficult to come up with ideas, you can help them generate solutions by asking questions that stimulate brainstorming. Put across to them that even the silliest answer can be a possible solution, so they need to consider all possible solutions to the problem. And having multiple solutions always helps in choosing the best.
Determine the benefits and drawbacks of each solution
Support your child in assessing potential positive and negative outcomes for each chosen solution.
Choose a solution
Encourage your child to choose a solution after weighing the potential positive and negative outcomes.
Give it a try
Ask them to apply the solution and see what happens. Allow them to develop and test out their ideas one by one to gauge what worked and what didn’t.
Is learning problem-solving in the early stage of life beneficial? In what ways?
Learning is a continuous process. This process starts right after we are born, and recent studies suggest that learning in a child starts happening even before that. Things settle as sharp and permanent in our minds when learned in the early formative years of our lives. What can be the reason? Well! ‘least distractions’ can be one. So more or less, the basics of any specific learning given in the earlier years of life to a child, as early as 6 months or starting at the age of 2 years, can become a permanent part of one’s life.
Thus, problem-solving basics can be put in the minds of tiny tots to help them prepare for their future. Mind at that age is more like a clean slate; anything written on that slate for the first time will have its darkest impression. Building blocks, like & unlike patterns, identifying shapes and sounds, and having cognitive skills support them in picking up new skills. Thus helping to form the basis of problem-solving skills and a problem-solving mindset.
Promoting activitiesat home that help develop problem-solving skills in the early years of life will always be beneficial.
To Conclude
Make the problem-solving process a fun one so that children can come up with brilliant solutions. This way, they will be able to view problems not as “Problems!” but as exciting challenges worth participating in and solving.
We parents need to encourage the problem-solving mindset in our little ones and promote independent problem-solving, early on.
Happy Parenting!
Credit note: All images have been designed on Canva
