Have you ever thought about teaching your child to enhance their problem solving skills? Problem solving skills are essential not only in the classroom, but also in daily life. It’s one of the soft skills that we use without knowing on various occasions. But don’t underestimate how powerful it is to have effective problem solving skills, especially for children! Yes, it’s essentially knowing how to solve a problem. And yes, children’s problems right now may only extend to either wanting more screen time or avoiding studying. But by having the skill to navigate through the problem with a solution early on, children can tackle almost anything life gives them in the future! In this article, we’ll explain what problem solving skills are and the benefits it can offer to children, both in improving their academic performance and navigating through life! By understanding how beneficial problem-solving skills are, parents can start supporting their children’s growth early on to prepare them for the future!
What are problem solving skills?
Problem solving skills include a set of important skills that help you identify, navigate, and come up with potential solutions. These skills are attainable and can be improved through experience, or in other words, trial and error. After all, until you have firsthand experience in dealing with a problem, you won’t know how to solve one. And, you won’t know how to solve it effectively unless you’ve had experience solving problems beforehand. Here some problem solving skills examples that children can attain:
- Analytical skills: The ability to consider the entire situation before making a decision
- Research skills: The ability to gather enough information about the situation
- Communication skills: The ability to communicate about the problem with other people
- Critical thinking skills: The ability to consider multiple perspectives to resolve the problem
- Teamwork skills: The ability to work together with other people to deliver a solution
Here’s a hint: some of these skills are directly linked with the benefits we’re going to talk about! Now then, here are the 6 benefits of children having problem solving skills!
1) They learn to train their composure
It’s easy for kids to be overwhelmed or stressed when they encounter a troubled situation. But while it’s a normal reaction for young kids, it’s not an ideal solution. Possessing problem-solving abilities can help children develop the ability to remain composed and reasoned in the face of future difficult events. Because if they panic and make a hasty decision, it can lead to more problems down the line. Problem-solving skills – and the experience of using it – will remind kids to take a step back and analyze the situation in a calm manner. By maintaining their composure, they will be more rational in making decisions and solving the problem. It will also help children become more resilient in overcoming various challenges in the future!
2) They learn to make effective decisions
When children are young, it’s normally up to the adults in their lives to make decisions for them. But kids also need to learn to make good decisions on their own. Problem-solving skills will allow kids to learn to make effective decisions by themselves. It’s almost certain that kids won’t make the best decisions on their first attempt, or even on their second attempt. But the experience will allow them to learn from their past actions and be more prepared to deliver better solutions in the future. By letting kids solve problems on their own, they will slowly gain confidence and expertise in making the best solution to resolve challenging situations. They will also practice on their critical thinking skills for the future! Of course, this does not negate the importance of parents or teachers being there for children. They can still give advice and tips to help nudge kids in the right direction. But sometimes, children must learn, witness, and experience the world for themselves.
3) They learn to think outside the box
Kids will encounter various kinds of situations in their lives, and each situation will likely require a different solution. By using their problem-solving skills for all kinds of scenarios, children will learn to think more outside the box and improve their creativity! Using their creativity to solve problems means that children will consider more angles and perspectives to resolve the situation. They will learn to be open to suggestions and develop a more innovative mindset. Creative problem solving skills are useful not only in daily life, but also in school! Children can use their creativity to their advantage when they try to solve difficult exam questions to earn a higher grade. It goes without saying that these skills can also be incredibly useful to solve any scenario in the future!
4) They learn to be a team player and team leader
Problems don’t just occur when children are on their own. They may occasionally run into issues with their peers or classmates. In that case, then they will need to cooperate with others before making a decision. This experience will allow children to develop their teamwork and leadership skills! When children work together with other people to overcome a challenge, they develop social and emotional skills along the way. They also learn how to take on different roles, whether as a team player or a team leader, to contribute to the group’s success. Children will also become more open to opportunities through teamwork and leadership, since it allows people to help them overcome a problem. Having more eyes to identify a problem is also incredibly useful. By being equipped in being a team leader and player, children are more prepared to face any scenario in the future.
5) They learn to practice their communication skills
If children are unable to communicate about a problem with their friends or classmates, then they won’t be able to resolve it. So, it’s no surprise that children’s communication skills are also developed with the use of problem-solving skills. When children are solving a problem, especially with other people, they learn how to communicate their ideas clearly, listen intently, and offer helpful criticism. They also learn how to clarify their understanding and make sure everyone is on the same page by asking questions. By practicing their communication skills, children become more confident in asserting their views or opinions, grow more comfortable in working with other people to solve problems, and build meaningful and long-lasting relationships. Humans are social creatures, so this skill will definitely benefit them both in academics and in the working industry!
6) They learn to gather the facts first
As we mentioned earlier, making rash and hasty decisions can only lead to more problems in the long run. It’s best to deliver the best and most effective solution possible to resolve the problem fast, but children can’t do that without knowing the facts. By having problem solving skills, children will be accustomed to gathering the information they need before they can make informed decisions. They will learn to indulge in their curiosity and communicate with others to receive the information they need to solve the situation. Children can benefit from these research abilities in all facets of their lives, including schoolwork, hobbies, and career aspirations.
Practice your child’s problem-solving skills with Practicle!
Enhancing their problem solving skills early on will allow children to be more prepared for the rapidly changing future. Thus, it’s important to practice this skill not only in school, but at home as well. There’s various methods you can try at home, but using technology is likely your best bet. Practicle’s math learning game is one method that you can consider to aid your child’s problem solving practice! Practicle allows children to practice their math using fun math quests and cute pet avatars. The app’s flexibility and accessibility makes it possible for children to learn anywhere, anytime. Navigate our math playground to practice your child’s problem solving skills today using our 7-day free trial!