0 comments / Posted on by Benny Plaksin

Teach Your Kids Problem-Solving Skills with Toys!

Problem-solving skills help children become more independent and do better in academic environments. Children of all ages need skills to be able to manage their lives, do well in school, and get along with others. Basic problem-solving skills are taught in school, but there is plenty that parents can do at home to help their kids develop these abilities. Here is why problem-solving skills are so important and how toys can help parents teach children these valuable skills.

Why Children Need Problem-Solving Skills

Children face a variety of problems each day, whether on the playground, in the home, or in the classroom. Not all problems come with a set formula to get to an answer, however. If a child doesn't have problem-solving skills, they may avoid taking action when they should or wind up heading in the wrong direction.

This lack of problem-solving skills is why some children struggle in school, and others have difficulty with social situations. Impulsive behavior instead of calculated action is another issue that can result if these valuable abilities aren't developed early in childhood.

Teach Kids Problem-Solving Skills with Toys

While it sounds as if developing problem-solving skills is going to be a monumental task, this isn't necessarily the case. Parents can help children develop these skills early simply be providing them with the right tools. In particular, certain educational toys can help teach your kids problem-solving skills.

Young children learn these skills best through play experiences that are equal parts fun and meaningful. Certain types of educational toys teach children to think independently, identify problems, and figure out solutions as they are having fun.

When your child is still a baby, such things as mobiles and musical toys are considered educational. Between one and two years old, activity toys and puzzles can help a baby learn to solve simple problems.  Once children reach toddler age and beyond, they are ready for educational toys that teach more complex problem-solving skills.

While you may wish to expose your child to modern technology, there are reasons to stay away from too many video games and screen-based toys. In fact, it's been shown that video games can hurt your child's development instead of promoting it. Children ages three and up can play with gears toys and stem toys that encourage several things.

Educational toys that incorporate gears and building elements allow children to create vehicles such as cars, trucks, and trains. They can also make robots, buildings, and animals with these unique toys. Children playing with these toys are not only engaged, but they also learn to solve problems through the building process. The toys encourage creativity and are fun to use. The best part is that these toys are fun for both children and parents, which can help bring families closer together while building valuable skills.

 

0 comments

Leave a comment

All blog comments are checked prior to publishing

]