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Why Problem-Solving Skills Are Important

The document discusses teaching problem-solving skills to teenagers. It outlines six key steps to problem solving: 1) identify the problem, 2) think about why it's a problem, 3) brainstorm possible solutions, 4) evaluate the solutions, 5) put the best solution into action, and 6) evaluate the outcome. The steps encourage considering multiple options, being calm and listening to different perspectives, and finding compromises. When working through a problem with a teen, focusing on issues rather than emotions can help identify effective solutions.

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114 views

Why Problem-Solving Skills Are Important

The document discusses teaching problem-solving skills to teenagers. It outlines six key steps to problem solving: 1) identify the problem, 2) think about why it's a problem, 3) brainstorm possible solutions, 4) evaluate the solutions, 5) put the best solution into action, and 6) evaluate the outcome. The steps encourage considering multiple options, being calm and listening to different perspectives, and finding compromises. When working through a problem with a teen, focusing on issues rather than emotions can help identify effective solutions.

Uploaded by

ibreex alyy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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 Problem-solving is an important life skill for teenagers


to learn. You can help your child develop this skill by
using problem-solving at home.
 You and your child can solve most problems using six
key steps.
 Calm communication, active listening and compromise
will help you to solve problems with your child.

You will face problems all your life. Some of them will be small day-
to-day problems like what to eat for breakfast, or where to find your
house keys. Other problems that arise can be much more significant
and complex, like disagreements with friends, or trying to decide
what to do when you finish school. Regardless of whether the
problem you face is small, medium, or large, there are five steps you
can take that can help you deal with it. This five-step model is not a
guarantee that you’ll come up with the ideal solution, but it does
encourage you to consider lots of options and outcomes. By doing
this, you’ll know you’ve given this problem your best shot, and that
should make you feel good no matter how things turn out.
 Why problem-solving skills are important
 Problem-solving: six steps
 1. Identify the problem
 2. Think about why it’s a problem
 3. Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem
 4. Evaluate the solutions to the problem
 5. Put the solution into action
 6. Evaluate the outcome of your problem-solving process
 When conflict is the problem

Why problem-solving skills are important


Everybody needs to solve problems every day. But we’re not born with the skills we need to
do this – we have to develop them.

When solving problems, it’s good to be able to:

 listen and think calmly


 consider options and respect other people’s opinions and needs
 find constructive solutions, and sometimes work towards compromises.

These are skills for life – they’re highly valued in both social and work situations.

When teenagers learn skills and strategies for problem-solving and sorting out conflicts by
themselves, they feel better about themselves. They’re more independent and better placed
to make good decisions on their own.

Problem-solving: six steps


Often you can solve problems by talking and compromising.

The following six steps for problem-solving are useful when you can’t find a solution. You
can use them to work on most problems – both yours and your child’s.

If you show your child how these work at home, he’s more likely to use them with his own
problems or conflicts with others. You can use the steps when you have to sort out a conflict
between people, and when your child has a problem involving a difficult choice or decision.

You might like to download and use our problem-solving worksheet (PDF: 121kb) – it can
help you come up with a solution together by guiding you through the process step by step.

When you’re working on a problem with your child, it’s a good idea to do it when everyone is
calm and can think clearly – this way, your child will be more likely to want to find a solution.
Arrange a time when you won’t be interrupted, and thank your child for joining in to solve
the problem.

1. Identify the problem


The first step in problem-solving is working out exactly what the problem is. This helps
make sure you and your child understand the problem in the same way. Then put it into
words that make it solvable. For example:

 ‘I noticed that the last two Saturdays when you went out, you didn’t call us to let us
know where you were.’
 ‘You’ve been using other people’s things a lot without asking first.’
 ‘You’ve been invited to two birthday parties on the same day and you want to go to
both.’
 ‘You have two big assignments due next Wednesday.’
Focus on the issue, not on the emotion or the person. For example, try to avoid saying
things like, ‘Why don’t you remember to call when you’re late? Don’t you care enough to let
me know?’ Your child could feel attacked and get defensive, or feel frustrated because she
doesn’t know how to fix the problem.

You can also head off defensiveness in your child by being reassuring. Perhaps say
something like, ‘It’s important that you go out with your friends. We just need to find a way
for you to go out and for us to feel you’re safe. I know we’ll be able to sort it out together’.

2. Think about why it’s a problem


Help your child describe what’s causing the problem and where it’s coming from. It might
help to consider the answers to questions like these:

 Why is this so important to you?


 Why do you need this?
 What do you think might happen?
 What’s the worst thing that could happen?
 What’s upsetting you?

Try to listen without arguing or debating – this is your chance to really hear what’s going on
with your child. Encourage him to use statements like ‘I need … I want … I feel …’, and try
using these phrases yourself. Be open about the reasons for your concerns, and try to keep
blame out of this step.

3. Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem


Make a list of all the possible ways you could solve the problem. You’re looking for a range
of possibilities, both sensible and not so sensible. Try to avoid judging or debating these
yet.

If your child has trouble coming up with solutions, start her off with some suggestions of
your own. You could set the tone by making a crazy suggestion first – funny or extreme
solutions can end up sparking more helpful options. Try to come up with at least five
possible solutions together.

Write down all the possibilities.

4. Evaluate the solutions to the problem


Look at the solutions in turn, talking about the positives and negatives of each one.
Consider the pros before the cons – this way, no-one will feel that their suggestions are
being criticised.
After making a list of the pros and cons, cross off the options where the negatives clearly
outweigh the positives. Now rate each solution from 0 (not good) to 10 (very good). This will
help you sort out the most promising solutions.

The solution you choose should be one that you can put into practice and that will solve the
problem.

If you haven’t been able to find one that looks promising, go back to step 3 and look for
some different solutions. It might help to talk to other people, like other family members, to
get a fresh range of ideas.

Sometimes you might not be able to find a solution that makes you both happy. But by
compromising, you should be able to find a solution you can both live with.

5. Put the solution into action


Once you’ve agreed on a solution, plan exactly how it will work. It can help to do this in
writing, and to include the following points:

 Who will do what?


 When will they do it?
 What’s needed to put the solution into action?

You could also talk about when you’ll meet again to look at how the solution is working.

Your child might need some role-playing or coaching to feel confident with his solution. For
example, if he’s going to try to resolve a fight with a friend, he might find it helpful to practise
what he’s going to say with you.

6. Evaluate the outcome of your problem-solving


process
Once your child has put the plan into action, you need to check how it went and help her to
go through the process again if she needs to.

Remember that you’ll need to give the solution time to work, and note that not all solutions
will work. Sometimes you’ll need to try more than one solution. Part of effective
problem-solving is being able to adapt when things don’t go as well as expected.

Ask your child the following questions:

 What has worked well?


 What hasn’t worked so well?
 What could you or we do differently to make the solution work more smoothly?
If the solution hasn’t worked, go back to step 1 of this problem-solving process and start
again. Perhaps the problem wasn’t what you thought it was, or the solutions weren’t quite
right.

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