As a parent and teacher I constantly reflect on how I can help children, whether its my own or my students be successful in life. I admit as a young mother, I didn’t fully grasp how vital the ability to problem solve would become for my children’s future success.
As I watch my grandchildren grow up in a rapidly changing world, I realize problem-solving is one of the most essential skills they need – not just for careers, but for navigating all of life’s challenges with resilience and creativity.
The reality is, rote memorization and following rules aren’t enough anymore. To thrive, our kids must learn how to think critically, adapt to new situations, and persist through obstacles. And the best way to develop these muscles? By practicing problem-solving from an early age.
Just yesterday, I observed this first-hand when we were working on an engineering activity – building and launching straw rockets. One child became flustered when their rocket didn’t launch at first. Despite others around them having success, this child impulsively crumpled up their rocket and gave up in a pout.
But another child took a different approach. When their rocket also initially failed, they had a look of frustration, but stayed engaged, closely watching the techniques of their peers who successfully launched rockets across the room. After observing for a few minutes, this child went back to work on a new design, modeled after an effective rocket but with a few alterations of their own. Sure enough, they soon engineered a solution through trial-and-error, joining in the fun.
In that moment, I realized some children naturally cultivate a “growth mindset” of perseverance, while others remain stuck in a “fixed mindset”, believing they simply can’t do it. And that’s where intentional guidance from parents comes in.
The latest research shows that young kids who develop solid problem-solving skills get a massive head start, performing better academically and displaying more confidence, creativity, and motivation to take on challenges (Sources: 1, 2).
While most parents understand the importance of problem-solving skills, finding the right starting point and making time to actively cultivate those abilities can be a challenge. That’s why my daughter and I started Junior Problem Solvers – to give families a fun, structured way to nurture problem-solving abilities from an early age.
Instead of cutting frustration short or providing kids with constant step-by-step answers, our role is to guide them through productive struggle using age-appropriate strategies. With practice, problem-solving becomes a lifelong strength that unlocks limitless potential.
Until next time, stay curious!
P.S. Did you know? A recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers revealed that problem-solving skills are the top attribute employers seek in college graduates, ranking just ahead of the ability to work as a team.
Sources:
www.apa.org/topics/problem-solving-skills-children
www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/06/the-philosophy-of-childrens-math/529094/
