5 Ways Problem-Solving Skills Impacts a Child’s Personality

How often have you said, “Go, figure it out yourself!” — to your child when they approached you with a problem?

Don’t feel bad about brushing them off. You’re doing them a favour.

Often parents think that solving every problem or smoothing every crease at every step is their responsibility as parents.

That’s not it. The bigger responsibility is ensuring your child learns to deal with their problems by themselves. It’s a skill that will help them all their life.

So how does being able to solve their problems help the child?

1. Enhances self-confidence.

It develops their self-confidence.

They learn to tackle challenges and not get overwhelmed or intimidated by them. They learn to think by themselves. They are ready to explore and look for possible solutions.

Every problem they’re able to deal with (doesn’t matter its magnitude), boosts their confidence in themselves, and in their abilities.

From tying their shoe laces to applying for the first job. Let them figure it out how to go about it before you step in.

This nurtures their image about themselves, and assures them that they can do it.

2. Develops critical thinking.

To figure out the solution to any problem, requires them to think critically, analyse the situation, identify the various possible solutions and then finally zero down on the one that works for them.

Going through all these steps builds up their critical thinking skills. They no longer give up the instance a problem arises, instead they work towards a solution.

This helps them to build a clear, logical mindset which is ready for any situation, critical or otherwise. It greatly helps them in making well thought out decisions as they grow up.

3.Resilience and perseverance.

They learn that you can’t find a solution with the snap of a finger. You’ve to try different ideas, experiment with your options, and make things work out.

That’s how they learn about resilience and patience. By dealing with everything for them, you’re instead depriving them the opportunity to learn and grow.

Every challenge teaches the child about overcoming obstacles through persistence and resilience. It’ll teach them how to bounce back from setbacks.

And most importantly it’ll teach them that life’s not always smooth sailing. There’ll be problems cropping up every now and then.

They outgrow their fear of failure and instead view it as another obstacle to cross, another opportunity to learn.

That’s a healthy mindset.

4. Improves social skills.

Solving a problem requires them to interact, reach out, mediate, negotiate, cooperate or participate with others. It’s not always a solitary activity.

Solving problems helps develop their social skills.

They’ve to learn how to communicate effectively, understand the different perspectives, empathise, see what works out well for all if they want to resolve the issue.

So the next time they come up with problems regarding their friends or classmates, guide them, advise them, but let them figure out the solution for themselves.

This enhances their overall social competence.

5. Understanding independence and responsibility.

If there’s a problem, it’s their problem. They have to understand that and take responsibility for it.

Often the children wash their hands off any responsibility because they see it as something for the parents to deal with.

That’s not true in all occasions but that’s how it turns out.

By ensuring that the children learn to take responsibility for their actions and decisions, and their subsequent consequences, you’re making them independent and developing their capability to manage their own lives by making informed choices.

Of course you’re there to guide and support them, but you’re reducing their dependence on you or any other adults around them.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt you love your children and want the best for them. But loving them does not mean making them incapable of looking after themselves. Or trying to solve every problem for them.

Loving your children means empowering them; teaching them the right skills that will benefit them as they grow up.

Encouraging your children to develop their problem-solving skills equips them to

- handle any challenge confidently,

- enhance their self-confidence,

- improve their critical thinking,

- develop a resilient character,

- improve their fledgling social skills, and

- give them a sense of independence.

A wonderful gift that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Hey, I’m Gomati Sekhar Ghosh, a writer, blogger. And also a veteran, educator and solopreneur.

I’m enjoying writing about the lessons learnt over the years in the different roles, be it in the uniform or corporate sector or classroom. I mostly explore themes based on parenting, children, and personal development.

Your support and love for my stories has been inspiring. You can consider subscribing so you don’t miss out on any of the stories.

How about taking this connection further? You can also subscribe to my bi-monthly newsletter, Tuesday Toots, where we discuss the bringing up children in a mindful way.