What is Problem-Solving And Importance of Imparting Problem-Solving Skills in Overall Child Development

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Determine the benefits and drawbacks of each solution

Support your child in assessing potential positive and negative outcomes for each chosen solution.

5. Choose a solution

Encourage your child to choose a solution after weighing the potential positive and negative outcomes.

6. 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 activities at 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