Teaching Problem Solving Skills to Children – Why are they so Important?

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Hi,
One of the most important and critical skills that every child should master is to know how to find solutions to simple problems that arise almost every day. Problem solving skills are very critical for survival. Humans cannot survive without mastering the art of problem solving. Your children must develop the skills of problem solving in order to become independent thinkers and to develop surviving instincts.

The main basis of solving problems lay in your children's ability to break down current problems into smaller, manageable parts until a solution is forwarded. Problem solving is the basic foundation for your young children's learning. You may need to value and cherish it because it can make your child confident, motivated and bold. Have a great week ahead!

Thought for today:
"If you observe a really happy man you will find him building a boat, writing a symphony, educating his son, growing double dahlias in his garden. He will not be searching for happiness as if it were a collar button that has rolled under the radiator." - W. Beran Wolfe

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Q1: My 9 year-old son was recently tested for his school's GT program. We were given the results of his tests, but do not understand the results, (as school will not be in session for 8 weeks, we are hoping to clarify sooner rather than later.)

1. Torrance Figural B Adaptation: 75% (75% needed)

2. Frank Williams Divergent Thinking Test: 84/84 (80 needed)

3. LISD (school district) Web Divergent Thinking Test: 55% (75% needed)

4. Matrix Analogies Test: 63% (90% needed)

5. General Intellectual Scale: 91/108

6. High Creative Thinking: "preponderance"

7. Kaufmann Brief Intelligence Test: 94%ile

8. Slosson Intelligence Test: 94%ile

9. Raven Progressive Matrices: 75%ile

10. Peabody: 98%ile

Do any of these tests show his "IQ" score? If so, how did he score?...

A: I am familiar with all the tests but may be able to give you an idea based on the percentile. Firstly, not all tests are intelligence tests. The Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test is more a screening test which gauges a child's performance and is suitable for schools since it is a group aptitude test. If the subtests in the test do not screen the child's strongest areas, then there is a possibility for the score to be different from the child's score on a comprehensive assessment (non-brief versions). Such tests measure verbal reasoning more accurately than non-verbal reasoning .... Continue to read Dr. Sandhu's answer on Percentile Score on Tests here.

Q2: Should I get my child assessed and what difference will that make?

I have an 8 year old boy who attends a state primary school. From an early age he showed an exceptional interest in maths. Since he has been at school (he is now in year three soon to go in year 4) the school has struggled to meet his needs in this area, though they acknowledge he talented in this field. Last year I tried some sessions with a personal tutor but found without the follow up in the classroom it wasn't very satisfactory (the tutor was working at early GSCE level with him).

A: Firstly, as a parent you need to explore the reasons for testing your child. Ask yourself; is it for entry into a specialized program or to affirm existing assumptions about the child's abilities? For very young children (at 2 or 3 years of age), it may only serve to validate a parent's beliefs that their child may be very bright. ... Continue to read Dr. Sandhu's answer on Benefits of Assessing a Child here.

Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs
By Ellen Galinsky

Galinsky (Six Stages of Parenthood; Ask the Children) has spent her career observing and analyzing how children learn. Collaborating with top researchers in the science of childhood brain development for the past decade, she identifies seven life skills that help children reach their full potential and unleash their passion to learn.

The skills are presented in a readable and accessible volume enlivened by parents' narratives about what works and what doesn't, hints and tips, and over a hundred suggestions (games and family activities) for involving kids in the pursuit of learning. Each of seven chapters focuses on one skill, most of them involved with the executive (or management) function of the brain, such as focus and self-control, communicating, and critical thinking.

Guiding Young Children: A Problem-Solving Approach
By Eleanor Reynolds

Guiding Young Children is a sensitively written, child-centered introduction to guidance for teachers and caregivers in daycare and preschool settings. It offers practical applications and helpful advice on child behavior, safety, health, and learning.

The objective is to build on the developmental needs of the children, providing children with freedom and safety, developmentally appropriate learning opportunities, and the tools needed to accept responsibility at their own level. An extensive art program reinforces learning with over 100 photographs of children and teachers in their daily routines, and illustrations of posters, charts, and graphs.

Why IQ Testing Is Important To Your Child
Your Personal Development Tips June 18, 2010

The IQ or intelligence quotient test is one of the more common tests that children and adults take to derive the score that allows them to measure how smart they really are. The score is derived from many tests given to the subject over the course of the tests, and then calculated to measure the person's actual intelligence.

Nutrition and Stimulation for child development
Dwimarni June 19, 2010

Nutrition and Stimulation is very useful for child growth because development and growth of children plays a vital role for the life of a child in the future. Healthy is not enough, but to be seen whether the growth and development aspects are in accordance with the stages of child's age.

How to raise a genius
Independent June 16, 2010

Thick black lines surround a variegated quilt of color. A lack of conventional perspective makes way for what is known in art circles as "facet-like stereometric" shapes. Then there are the strange, stretched heads, distorted arms and higgledy-piggledy eyes.

Chores help prepare kids for adult life
Edmonton Journal June 18, 2010

Your three-year-old is not too young to match the socks in the family laundry basket; your five-year-old can make his bed by pulling up the comforter. Your eight-year-old can make her own lunch and your 10-year-old can do all of the above, plus put away the groceries and do the family laundry -- sorting it by colors first.

Recognizing your child's unique strengths
MB June 09, 2010

Here are a few approaches to help you figure out how your child concentrates, processes information and applies what is learned. The main motivation is to provide you with foundation for your efforts to bring out the best in your child.

Understanding the gifted
B World Online June 17, 2010

As millions of Filipino students start and return to school this month, this marks an important time to call attention once again to the issue of identifying and nurturing the "gifted" children.

Could your child be gifted?
ODT June 14, 2010

What do naughtiness, dinosaurs and gifted children have in common? George Street Normal School principal Rod Galloway says the presence of academically gifted children, who have exceptional abilities and qualities, can sometimes be masked by "a bit of naughtiness" or signs of boredom, if they are not being sufficiently stimulated by their surroundings.

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