Teaching Your Child To Problem Solve
Ask any successful person how they achieved their goals and they’ll tell you perseverance! No matter what, they never gave up.
Nobody ever says being a math whiz skyrocketed them to their life-long goals instantaneously. Or because they eat a lot of pizza, they became a millionaire. No way! It sounds silly, doesn’t it?
Never giving up, no matter what sort of problems arise, is the only surefire way to reach our dreams. That’s a fact! Clearly this is something important we need to teach our children.
Here are 5 helpful tips that will help you to take your kiddies to the top!
Practice What You Preach
Kids only know what they learn from the world around them, and YOU are the biggest part of their world. They learn from your words, but they learn far more from your actions.
If you disrespect someone with your words and actions, they’ll think that’s ok too.If you show someone kindness, your kids will want to be kind as well.
This goes for how you love your family members and how you discipline your children as well as how you treat strangers and people in your community. You can choose to make mountains out of molehills, or to go with the flow.
Your kids will learn by your example that problems are only problems if you make them!
Things happen every day that can be blown out of proportion or can be taken in stride. If you have children over the age of toddlers, chances are you’ve had some spilt milk in your life. If your child knocks over their drink, which is a very standard occurrence in a child’s day, you have a choice. It can be, "OMG, I can't believe you did that. You're so clumsy. You always do this."
OR it can be, "Oh dear. What can you do to fix the accident?”Accidents happen! And if your kiddo sees you keeping your cool and problem solving, it will be the very best teacher to help them do the same. Follow through with the advice you give your children. Ideally adults will practice what they preach!
“Never stop dreaming, never stop believing, never give up, never stop trying, and never stop learning.”― Roy T. Bennett
Learn Through Mistakes
Children are going to make mistakes…it’s the best way to learn!
Every mistake can be an example on how to take charge of their learning and empower them to never give up.
Acknowledge their failures with empathy and allow them time and guidance to find a solution or grieve if necessary. This is a healthy process. But no pity parties! There’s a big difference.
Be understanding so that they learn resilience, but don’t allow them to wallow in self pity or defeat.
It’s alright to lose a game or miss the bus, it’s all in how you fast you rebound that matters!
Take a Big Step Back
Have you ever taken a bite that’s too big for your mouth? You can hardly chew! The result is either spitting some of it out, chewing with your mouth wide open or heaven forbid you choke. No matter which way you cut it, it’s not a good way to enjoy your meal.
This is a perfect example of why it’s so important that we know our limits. Life can be like that sometimes, too.
Obviously your kid isn’t going to be on the State Basketball team straight out of kindergarten. Teach your children to find their specific milestones and explore ways to improve as they progress.
Discuss any mistakes or roadblocks together and formulate a plan for reaching the next milestone towards their goal. It’s awesome to overcome problems together! You’ll help them increase their confidence and self-belief that they can do anything with effort.
It’s good to take breaks & assess what’s going on in any given situation. Think of it like a rest on the way to summit Mount Everest.
If you give your body and mind time to rejuvenate on the way up, you’ll ensure you have every chance to make it to the top without killing yourself.It’s so very brave, and a great growth mindset trait, to never give up!
“Courage doesn't always roar, sometimes it's the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering 'I will try again tomorrow.”― Mary Anne Radmacher
Watch The Video - 'How To Help Your Child Problem Solve'
Xo Lisa oX
TL;DR
Read the blog post to learn how to help your child problem solve
Watch the video to see how to teach your child to never give up
