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Part of child development is learning how to solve problems, by thinking critically and having the confidence to make a decision independently. There are lots of ways parents can help their child develop problem solving skills, as explored below by a prep school Amersham.
Give Your Child Some Independence
When you see your child struggling with something, the easiest solution is usually to step in and save the day for them. However, this won’t help them develop their problem-solving skills. Instead, try and give them some independence to overcome the problem on their own. You can give them prompts by asking open-ended questions such as “what do you think would happen if you did this?” as doing so will strengthen their ability to think critically.
Embrace Mistakes
There will be times when your child tries to solve a problem, only to make a mistake or even make matters worse. There’s nothing wrong with that. Try not to be hard on them when this happens, and instead help them reflect so that they can improve next time.
Encourage Skill Development
Even adults sometimes lack the skills and experience to solve a problem, but the more you help your child develop various aptitudes, the more confidence they will have in their ability to tackle challenges. With that said, try and find ways for them to learn new things. Ask them to help you in the kitchen or garden or encourage them to join an extra-curricular club.
Promote Free Play
Giving your child the space to play freely will allow them to learn more about how things work in a safe environment. You should also encourage them to play outdoors, as there are a range of new and exciting opportunities out there. They will learn to identify hazards and evaluate risks. For example, if they want to climb a tree they will need to determine whether or not it is safe to do so; are the branches strong enough to hold their weight?