Student Care Singapore – From a very early age, our children start to encounter a variety of problems – from trying to resolve simple mathematical equations that they can’t quite grasp yet to having difficulties connecting with their peers at school. Learning to navigate their way around these issues is important for our young ones as they grow, and guidance from parents and teachers alike can help them to develop important soft skills for the future – including building problem-solving skills.
Here are 5 important tips to help develop problem-solving skills in your children:
Observe your child as they navigate solving challenges
While it may be instinctual for parent or teachers at student care Singapore centers to jump in and help your child when they’re having troubles communicating through challenging situations, there is some merit in stepping back and observing how they attempt to resolve any issue at hand independent of your presence.
Stepping in too soon all the time can affect your child’s confidence in their ability to resolve conflicts on their own. Watch and observe how your child deliberates and communicates their way through certain, more minor issues and sit down with them after to walk them through what they did well, and where they could have done things a little differently.
Acknowledge your child’s efforts in an encouraging fashion
One big thing to keep in mind, whether you’re a parent or a teacher at any student care Singapore center, is that offering words of encouragement to your child for any efforts they make to solve challenging situations that come their can makes a huge, tangible difference in boosting their confidence. This also allows them to be comfortable trying new and different ways to do things.
Be it solving mathematical equations by themselves or working to put a puzzle together without asking for help – give your child encouragement and praise, and express your pride in how they put the skills they learn daily into practice.
Alternatively, non-verbal cues like a simple nod and smile in recognition of your child’s accomplishments is always a plus!
Encourage your child to express themselves freely
Encouraging children to express how they feel in a creative manner is important. We don’t want to stifle their freedom of expression, as its crucial to creative problem-solving. A common method to try at your student care Singapore center: provide your child with materials or building blocks (whatever you feel might appeal to them), and ask them create something with the materials at hand. You may provide some suggestions, themes or guidance, but allow them to exercise their creativity and build freely.
This approach is a great way to help children feel comfortable solving problems so that when they see that you don’t have one “right” answer or method in mind, they can move past the fear of being “wrong” and draw on their wonderful creative thinking abilities.
Be willing to make mistakes and deal with them
Grown-ups make mistakes all the time, whether you are a parent or a student care Singapore teacher. Our children need to learn that it’s okay to make mistakes so long as we acknowledge them, and find ways to do and be better.
This helps kids to understand that mistakes are not the end-all-be-all, but rather a great opportunity to learn and discover. Problem-solving, after all, is the ability to think logically and creatively.
Reflect on your own approach to problem-solving
Your child is always watching and observing your actions, be it in the capacity of a parent or a student care Singapore teacher, and that includes how you solve problems that come your way. When you are able to, work out your thought process to certain simple problems out loud.
For instance, you may have run out of butter and you need to make some toast, so what do you do? Talk to yourself out loud about using other substitutes or perhaps head to a nearby supermarket and pick out the item you need. You can even include your child in the process and ask them for their insight! That way, you help promote fluid thinking and a positive attitude in your child, Start by having them solve the small problems of everyday life.
H/T: Scholastic
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