Thursday, January 24, 2013

Solving problems

Radio Commentary



           Decision-making and problem solving are important skills to teach your child.
            Talk with children about challenges they face. Helping them create lists of possible responses to a variety of situations can be a great learning tool.
            Set up scenarios where children tell you how they would handle or deal with a certain situation or problem. Come up with an outline or show them how to take steps to tackle an obstacle. 
            It will allow them to feel confident about solving the problem or making the decision.
            Be sure to follow through when you are confronted with a problem and show children the approach you use. Or tell them a story about a tough decision you had to make.
            Realizing that everyone faces similar experiences makes children feel less frightened and become better prepared.
            When you’ve handled something you never thought you could, you really feel stronger and more self-confident.
Young people who experience these feelings are much more likely to continue to try new challenges.
            Remember: Don’t just handle problems for your children or make their decisions for them.
Teach them the skills they’ll need to solve problems by themselves. You can’t always be with them.