Helping Your Child Become a Problem Solver

John Kirby
Jul 21
2 min read

We all want our kids to grow up confident, capable, and ready to take on the world—and one of the best ways we can set them up for success is by teaching them how to solve problems.

Here are practical, research-backed ways to build problem-solving skills in children of all ages:

Start with Open-Ended Questions

Encourage kids to think beyond “yes” or “no” by asking open-ended questions like:

“What do you think would happen if…?”
“What else could we try?”This sparks curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

Model It in Real Life

Kids learn more from what we do than what we say. Talk through your own problem-solving out loud—whether it’s fixing a broken toy or figuring out a family schedule. Invite them into family decisions so they can see how solutions take shape.

Make Room for Creative Play

Free, unstructured play is one of the best teachers of problem-solving. Build forts, make up stories, or try a science experiment together. Bonus points if it involves teamwork.

Use a Step-by-Step Approach

Teach them how to break problems down into manageable steps:

Define the problem.
Brainstorm possible solutions.
Make a plan.
Put the plan into action.

This method—known as the "4 P’s of Problem-Solving"—helps kids learn that every challenge can be tackled one step at a time.

Celebrate Effort, Not Just Success

Mistakes are part of the learning process. Praise your child’s effort, creativity, and persistence—not just when they “get it right.” This builds confidence and resilience.

Foster Collaboration

Encourage your kids to work with others to solve problems. Whether it’s with siblings, friends, or classmates, learning to listen, compromise, and share ideas is key to lifelong problem-solving.

Try These at Home

Puzzles and board games
STEM projects like simple experiments or building challenges
Storytelling and creative writing

Tailor Your Approach by Age

Young kids need simple examples and lots of encouragement. Older kids can handle bigger challenges and learn from more complex situations.

Watch and Learn Together

Here are some videos we love that offer simple, fun lessons on problem-solving:

Final Thought

Don’t rob your child of the chance to learn by stepping in too soon. Instead, be their guide. Teach them how to think it through, work it out, and keep going. Problem-solving isn’t just a skill—it’s a lifelong gift.