Let the problem-solving begin – it just might help you get your cup of tea!

There may be times when your toddler comes across a challenge during their day, or something might puzzle them. Your instinct might be to rush right over and help them find a solution. But to help raise a resilient toddler, who’s able to think and make decisions, sometimes a pause is what the situation needs. 

When we problem-solve we seek solutions  

For your toddler, it might be a setback in their play, a decision that needs making about where to put a toy, a mission to get past an obstacle or the need to find a solution, such as how to get the shape in the sorter the right way. 

Giving your toddler lots of opportunities to approach problems with their own thinking and imagination will help them come up with ideas and solutions. 

Allowing time before offering help encourages your toddler to find solutions, building their flexible thinking. When your toddler experiences trying and failing and trying again, they find the strength to persevere. 

Finding out for themselves helps them learn the next time 

The ability to think about what they might do differently the next time is one of the advantages of having your toddler deal with challenging situations. Toddlers are creative, and they can use that ingenuity to navigate a problem or a sticky situation. 

Discuss how they are tackling their challenges  

Talking to your toddler about possibilities or ideas, like, "You put the ball on the floor and it rolled away, then you put it on the cup, and it rolled off. I wonder if there is a place that it will stay in?" might help this process along. They will learn to look for different solutions and gain a sense of control and security if they’re involved in the problem-solving process in this way.  

Narrating a situation can help your toddler better understand what is happening. Encouraging comments may lead them towards coming up with a solution on their own. 

When safety becomes a concern, stay close to your toddler and offer support 

You might want to scoop them up, offer them protection and give them easy answer to their dilemma, but try to give them time to work things out for themselves.  

By giving your toddler the chance to practise problem-solving skills now, you're giving them a solid foundation on which they can take on challenges on their own in the future. 

When your toddler needs reassurance and support from you  

If they become upset, give them the support they need. This will help your toddler to become more self-assured and develop their capacity for resilience. 

Luckily, toddlers are keen and curious, and they continually experiment with problem-solving. Keeping them focused and interested in thinking about what has gone before will help them solve problems more naturally.  

When you feel more confident and trust in their abilities, you might find more time for that well-needed cup of tea!