Problem Solving Skills in Early Childhood: How Montessori Can Help

Perhaps the most important thing you can teach a child are oh-so-valuable problem solving skills. Problem solving skills can be applied to all different types of situations in life, from the academic to the social, and will help your child achieve a higher level thinking ability which rivals that of many adults.

The art of teaching children problem solving skills is a rapidly dying one. We (as a culture) have become overzealous in helping children avoid any type of physical or emotional discomfort. Tragically, by refusing to let a child find his own answers we are robbing him of the ability to be independent and, by extension, self-confident. Helplessness that is learned in childhood will often endure into adulthood. One of the many strengths of a Montessori education is the attention given to helping children acquire the problem solving skills needed to become an independent, happy, and confident person.

Just about every detail of a Montessori classroom is designed to enhance problem solving skills. Water transfer works (see image below) are a simple example of this. The problem presented to the child is to transfer the water from one container to the other. The child will discover that the dropper can be used to accomplish this, thereby solving the problem. It is important to note that the child will be allowed to discover this process; a teacher will not rush over to tell the child, “Use the dropper to move the water.” When the child successfully completes a work on his own, he feels a strong sense of pride in his accomplishment. The confidence he has gained allows him to try new, more challenging things and a wonderful snowball effect results. Each new accomplishment a child achieves on his own ads to his sense of self-worth and confidence. This water transfer work also provides a concrete representation of the concept of suction and enhances the child’s fine motor skills, preparing him for writing.

A Montessori teacher (known as a directress) is an expert at fielding a child’s questions in a manner which encourages problem solving skills. Rarely will you hear her give a direct answer. To a child who asks what he should do with a piece of food found on the ground, a Montessori directress would not simply instruct the child to put it in the trash. Instead, she might say, “Well, this food has been on the floor. What do you think we should do with it?” Nearly all of the time, the child will know what to do. If he does not, the teacher will continue to ask questions to help direct the child until he is able to arrive at an answer on his own. 

To help develop your child’s problem solving abilities at home:

• Ask your child open-ended questions that allow the child to use reasoning and problem solving skills.
• Try answering your child’s questions with another question. 
• Encourage your child to try things on his own, providing only what support is necessary to prevent extreme frustration or (of course) serious danger.
• Consider a Montessori education for your young learner! Moving Mountains Montessori is here to help. Please direct any questions to Director@MovingMountainsMontessori.com.