I’ve been trying to help my kids get better at solving problems on their own, but I’m not sure I’m going about it the right way. I’ve heard positive reinforcement can be good for this, but I’m not exactly sure how to use it effectively. Does anyone have experience with this or know some good strategies? I’d appreciate any tips on how to encourage problem-solving without just giving them the answers all the time.
In our house, we’ve found a sticker chart really helpful for encouraging problem-solving. Each time the kids try to work something out on their own, they get a sticker. It’s not about getting it right, just making an effort.
We also talk about the steps they took to solve a problem. This helps them see what worked and what didn’t. Sometimes we brainstorm other ways they could have approached it.
I’ve noticed my older one now often says ‘I can figure this out’ when faced with a challenge. It’s great to see them becoming more confident in their abilities. Of course, we’re still here to help if they need it, but they’re definitely tackling more on their own these days.
I remember those days of trying to teach problem-solving! It took a while, but we found some tricks that worked. Our kids loved earning ‘genius points’ for tackling problems. They’d get points for trying different approaches, not just solving it. We’d discuss what worked and what didn’t afterward.
For bigger problems, we’d break them down together. If they got stuck, we’d ask questions to guide them, like ‘What’s the first step?’ or ‘What information do we need?’ It helped them learn to think it through without us giving answers.
We didn’t use apps much, but we did play board games as a family. Games like Clue Junior or logic puzzles were great for problem-solving practice. Plus, it was fun family time. The key was keeping it light and celebrating their efforts, not just the results. 
I noticed my kids got better at problem-solving when I praised their efforts, not just results. Small wins count too. Even if they didn’t solve it fully, acknowledging their attempts encouraged them to keep trying.
In our house, we’ve had success with turning problem-solving into a game. I’ll set up little challenges or puzzles for my kid to solve, and we make it fun with a timer or some silly prizes. It’s amazing how much more engaged they get when it feels like play instead of work.
I’ve also found that asking open-ended questions when they’re stuck helps a lot. Instead of jumping in with the solution, I’ll ask things like ‘What have you tried so far?’ or ‘What do you think might work?’. It gets them thinking and often leads them to figure things out on their own.
I’ve been working on this with my 5-year-old too. We started a ‘problem solver’ jar at home. When my kid tries to figure something out, they get to put a pom-pom in the jar. It’s simple, but it’s working so far.
I’m curious about how other parents handle bigger problems. My child gets frustrated easily with harder tasks. Do you give hints or let them work through the frustration? I want to encourage persistence but not sure when to step in.
Also, has anyone tried using apps or games for problem-solving skills? I’ve heard about some but haven’t tried them yet. Are they worth it?