Parents and caregivers often find it hard to watch children struggle. Our instinct is to step in and remove obstacles as quickly as possible. While this response comes from care and protection, it raises an important question about whether stepping in too soon actually helps children in the long run.
Independent problem-solving skills help children build confidence, flexibility, and resilience across many areas of development. Allowing children the space to think through challenges, with guidance and support, helps prepare them for academic learning, social situations, and everyday life.
As an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, I see firsthand how everyday challenges can become powerful opportunities for children to build problem-solving skills.
Why Is Problem-Solving Important?
Problem-solving skills enhance academic skills, social skills, cognitive skills, and executive functioning skills. Academically, problem-solving skills help children develop persistence and strategies for approaching more challenging concepts. Socially, the ability to solve problems allows children to navigate cooperation but also conflict with others — balancing the various interests.1
Regarding cognitive skills, problem-solving helps children expand their creativity and flexibility in approaching problems in different ways.2 In terms of executive functioning, problem-solving skills help kids make a plan to approach a problem and then carry out the steps to execute the potential solution.3
Problem-Solving Examples
There are many everyday opportunities for children to practice problem-solving skills. One example of social problem-solving is two kids figuring out how to build a tower together. Another might be children at an art table trying to decide how to share materials so everyone has equal access and can participate.
Problem-solving also shows up when a child is motivated to get something they want. For example, what if your child wants a specific snack but cannot reach the shelf it is on? Possible solutions might include using a step stool, climbing onto the counter, or asking an adult or older child for help. While some options are safer than others, allowing children to assess the situation and choose an appropriate solution is invaluable.
Another important type of problem-solving involves situations that affect safety and well-being. I often talk through these scenarios with my elementary-aged child. What do you do if you get lost on the way home from school? What should you do if the fire alarm goes off? Even if these situations are unlikely to happen right away, practicing “what if” scenarios helps children feel prepared and more confident.
Problem-Solving Strategies
Children’s problem-solving strategies are very similar to those we use as adults. These include the following:
Trial and Error
Trial and error begins with identifying the problem and brainstorming potential solutions. Once you have this list of possible solutions, you make an educated guess about which one you should start with. Then give it a try! If the solution works, great. If it doesn’t, you simply move on to the next possible solution to try.
Following Instincts
When encountering problems, you don’t always have time to brainstorm and carefully evaluate potential solutions — especially when it involves one’s safety and the safety of others. In such cases, it is often essential to trust your instincts. As a parent or caregiver, you can model this strategy and allow your child to practice it, fostering trust within your child.
Asking Questions
Children can ask themselves questions about the task at hand. For example, asking what is working and what isn’t, and what happens if they do something. Asking questions that involve reflection on processes can help clarify the next steps to take or alternative routes.
Accessing Prior Knowledge
This strategy involves looking back at times when a child has experienced similar difficulties. They can reflect on what worked and what didn’t work in the past to help them resolve their present issue.
In general, as a parent or caregiver, you can foster problem-solving skills and strategies by asking open-ended questions, like:
- Why do you think that happened?
- What do you think should happen next?
- What can we change?
- How does that make you feel?
You can then give your child positive feedback for finding the solution and engaging in the problem-solving process.
8 Problem-Solving Games
Games create low-pressure opportunities for children to practice planning, flexibility, and persistence. In addition to everyday problem-solving moments, these games and activities help kids build those skills through play.
1. Jenga
Jenga involves assessing a tower of wooden blocks, determining the safest part of the structure to access, and then carefully executing one’s plan to remove a plank (without the structure falling). It’s a simple game, but it involves a significant portion of the problem-solving process.
2. Puzzles
Start with simple in-set puzzles for your toddler and build up to more complicated ones as your child ages. Puzzles involve planning and manipulating materials to solve the ultimate problem: how to arrange many pieces to complete the image.
3. Scavenger Hunts
This activity begins with brainstorming the location of items and then carefully exploring one’s surroundings to locate them. Each item in a scavenger hunt creates an opportunity for children to engage in problem-solving. You can find printable scavenger hunts online or make your own.
4. Obstacle Courses
Setting up an obstacle course for your child in your home or an outdoor space is a great way to engage in problem-solving activities. Obstacle courses allow for physical problem-solving and moving your body to reach the end of the course.
5. Mazes
A maze requires planning to determine the path to the exit! Grab an activity book with mazes for your child, or print some out online. You can sometimes find physical mazes for them to try, too, such as a corn maze.
6. Tangrams/Pattern Blocks
Similar to puzzles, pattern blocks like these involve finding the right pieces and then manipulating them to create an image. Your child must negotiate space when placing pieces on the board, trying not to disturb the ones they’ve already placed.
7. Rush Hour Traffic Jam
This is a great logic game for kids that helps them develop their problem-solving skills. Each card presents a challenge, and players must plan how to move the vehicles to allow the red car to exit.
8. Keva Planks Brain Builders
This is the best problem-solving activity for budding engineers. Kids take the simple wood planks and try to make the structure shown on the card.
As parents, it can be difficult to watch children struggle and feel frustrated. However, growth often happens in those moments. With guidance, patience, and modeling, children can learn to approach challenges thoughtfully and develop the confidence to solve problems independently.
