How to Help Students Develop Educational Problem Solving Strategies

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Solving problems in school can be difficult for children of any age, especially in the areas of math and science. Teaching your child or student some simple problem solving strategies that use logical reasoning techniques can help them learn how to think things through and come up with a plan that will best address the problem.

 Things You'll Need
  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Computer
Instructions
  1. Tell your student or child to try and simplify the problem by stating it in a simplified manner using their own words.
  2. Ask the student or your child to tell you what they already know about the problem and what they need to know in order to answer the question.
  3. Have them think about and consider what there options are for solving the problem; what do they think is the best option for solving the problem and why?
  4. Ask them what materials and tools, if any, they will need to illustrate the results or steps for that solve the problem (protractors, rulers, weights and measures, blocks).
  5. Have your student or child state verbally, or through a series of written steps, how they solved the problem and what conclusions they drew from the completion of the problem and the strategies they used for reaching that conclusion.
  6. Ask your student, or child, to restate what the question was, what their solution is, how they came up with the solution and if the solution solved the problem.
  7. Have the student or your child tell you how they know their solution is a good one.
  8. Explain to your student or child that problem solving strategies simplify the problem; make it easier for them to address and solve the problem; helps them approach problem solving using a series of steps; logical thinking and incorporates knowledge they already have and can be used in a variety of subjects or report writing including the drawing of a conclusion.

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