How to Teach Problem Solving to Kids
Teach your child to think through problems instead of asking for the answer. The 'I do, we do, you do' method with practical examples.
The single thing that changes a child from a help-seeker into a problem-solver is the adult next to them refusing to answer the question. This sounds harsh and is the exact opposite — it's a gift. Every time you solve a problem for your child, you're building their dependence. Every time you make them solve it (with support), you're building their confidence.
The framework that works is the old teaching sequence: I do, we do, you do. First you solve a problem while talking through your thinking out loud. Then you solve one together, with the child making the decisions and you prompting. Then the child solves one alone while you sit nearby looking pleased but silent. This is the opposite of how most parents help with homework, and it is why most homework help does not work.
Problem-solving is genuinely a skill, not a personality trait. It can be trained, and the activities below — logic puzzles, strategy games, open-ended building challenges — do the training. The hardest part is always the adult biting their tongue.
Practise With These Free Games
Printable Worksheets to Go With This Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop myself from giving my child the answer?+
Ask 'what do you think?' instead. Give it ten full seconds of silence before you say anything else. Most children answer within those ten seconds if you just wait.
What's the 'I do, we do, you do' method?+
A gradual-release teaching sequence: demonstrate (I do), practise together (we do), independent attempt (you do). It's the most robustly evidence-backed instructional method in education research.
Are logic puzzles good for problem-solving?+
Yes — Sudoku, mazes, picture logic puzzles, and strategic board games all build problem-solving. The specific puzzle matters less than the habit of finishing hard things.
At what age can problem-solving be taught explicitly?+
From age 3 upwards, with simple choices and open-ended play. Structured problem-solving frameworks are usually appropriate from age 6 or 7.