One of the best ways to teach kids how to solve problems is to have them... solve problems.  The key, though, is to not be so quick to step in and rescue them at the first sign of struggle.  This tends to stop their thinking and can send the message that we don't have faith in their ability to come up with a solution.

 

It's in the struggles, the making-sense-of-what's-going-on disequilibrium, where learning takes place.  It's also the place where persistence pays off and problem-solvers are born.  That's because when kids are given an opportuity to succeed at a difficult task, it gives them the confidence to take on other difficult tasks. 

 

Piggy-backing on this is research done by Carol Dweck, PhD, a psychologist at Stanford.  Dweck has conducted four decades of research showing that kids who are encouraged on their efforts to solve problems actually become better problem-solvers.  Praising efforts seems to translate to kids who believe they are capable of taking on new challenges and are more motivated to succeed. 

 

Examples of ways to praise effort:

The Money Connection:  We can use these same ideas to help kids develop good money skills.  Here are four examples of every day situations that involve money.  Remember, resist the temptation to step in too soon and always offer encouragement along the way.