Parent Ed Topic: Understanding Problem Solving in Young Children and Dealing with Frustration

Understanding Problem Solving in Young Children and Dealing with Frustration

By Anita Britt, Ph.D.

Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles

Published online 2007

http://aplaceofourown.org/question_detail.php?id=63

· Choose age-appropriate and open-ended activities
· Offer guidance
· Allow kids to walk away when frustrated, but try again later

Allowing children to problem-solve through activities is very important because it helps them develop the tools to deal with challenges throughout their lives. If children are encouraged to solve problems and learn to be persistent, studies show that they become very good “out-of-the-box” thinkers. It encourages creativity and they become more confident people.

The activities you choose should be age-appropriate and challenging, but not so challenging that they will fail doing it. I think that limiting the amount of tools for them to complete a project is also important. For example, when really young kids are coloring, put out only 10 crayons instead of a box of 64. This way they won’t be overwhelmed by all the choices and they can focus on the project which will help them succeed.

The activities should be open-ended and not be about a final product. If a project focuses on a specific final product, then children may be disappointed because their product doesn’t look like the example. Also, asking kids questions during the activity and allowing them to work through and problem-solve will help them develop critical thinking and find ways to figure out something on their own.

Child Care providers should guide children through this process and not march them through it so that they lose their desire to continue. Forcing children to finish something that they can’t do can be very harmful to children’s self-esteem.

If a child is getting frustrated, give them verbal cues to help them. But allow them to walk away and come back to it later. Say to them, “You can continue trying this later.” That way, they know it’s fine to take a break from something, but that they should try again later. But don’t try to give too much direction. If children are given too much direction early on in life, they feel that there’s a right and wrong way to do everything in life. This can stunt their creativity and discourage them from becoming self-reliant.

If kids are persistent, they will feel mastery of a project, pride, and a sense of accomplishment. They will say things like “I did it!” which builds confidence. It also encourages an awareness that even if there is not a solution immediately or if they make a mistake, they can learn from it and keep trying.