Helping Our Young People Find Their Own Solutions

As parents and educators, one of our most important roles is guiding young people toward becoming independent thinkers and problem-solvers. While it's natural to want to step in and solve problems for our children, it is far more valuable to empower them to find their own solutions. This not only builds their confidence but also strengthens their critical thinking and decision-making skills, which are vital for success in life.

Here are some tips on how we can help our children explore problems and discover solutions on their own:

1. Encourage a Growth Mindset: Help your child understand that challenges are opportunities for growth, not obstacles to avoid. Remind them that mistakes are a natural part of learning, and that perseverance is key to overcoming difficulties. By framing problems as learning experiences, we can teach our children to approach challenges with curiosity and resilience.

2. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Instead of offering immediate solutions, try to guide your child through the problem-solving process with thoughtful questions. Open-ended questions such as “What do you think might happen if you try this?” or “How could you approach this differently?” prompt your child to reflect on the situation and consider multiple perspectives. These types of questions encourage them to think critically and creatively.

3. Break Down the Problem: Help your child break larger problems into smaller, more manageable steps. This makes the task feel less overwhelming and allows them to see progress as they work through each part. Questions like “What’s the first thing we can do to start solving this?” or “What’s one small step that will get us closer to the solution?” can be helpful in this process.

4. Model Problem-Solving Strategies: Children learn by example. When faced with a challenge, verbalise your thought process out loud, showing them how you weigh options and make decisions. For example, you might say, “I’m thinking about how to handle this problem. First, I’m considering A because of X, but then there’s B, which might be easier because of Y.” This demonstrates critical thinking and shows them how to approach problems logically.

5. Provide Support, Not Solutions: Be there to listen, offer encouragement, and provide resources, but avoid giving away the answers. When you ask your child, “What do you think would work?” or “What are your options here?” you empower them to take ownership of the situation.

By encouraging our young people to explore problems and find their own solutions, we help them develop the skills they need to navigate challenges throughout their lives. Let’s continue to support them in becoming confident, independent thinkers who can tackle anything that comes their way.

Be kind to yourselves and each other.

PLC Counselling Team

Mr Brendan Macaulay, Head of Student Support, Mrs Kelsie Munroe, Middle Years Counsellor and Mrs Sara Taverner, Learning Enrichment P -5 & Counsellor