Creating an Environment for Thinking/Risk-Taking, and Problem-Solving

Parents play a significant role in either encouraging or discouraging their children's thinking, willingness to take risks, approaching new challenges, and willingness to undertake their own problem solving.

One way to foster thinking that is more independent is to create an environment that encourages it.  To do that, parents must be intentional about recognizing the risk-taking that does occur - regardless of the outcome.  It is one of the most challenging and important things a parent can do - recognize the attempt, even when the effort ends in failure or in something “less than optimum”. 

Another way parents can influence their child's willingness to take on the challenge is to begin by teaching the value of failure.  After all, it is through failure that we learn.  It is the mistake we make that refines our methods, our processes, and deepens our understanding and learning. 

We communicate how we view failure and mistakes when Johnny spills the milk during dinner.  Rather than jumping up to find the kitchen towel, exclaiming all the while "Oh my goodness!  I cannot believe you did that!  You need to be more careful!"  Parents will teach more by staying calm and saying something like:  "Hmmm.  Now, there is a problem.  I wonder how you will solve that." Then sit back and let the child go at it.  If the child is old enough, allow the child to actually construct some of his/her own solutions.  As the parent, you can guide...not tell.... the child by sharing alternatives - the paper towels, the kitchen towels, now we'll need a new table cover...   If the child is too young, model your own problem solving out aloud, deemphasizing the mistake and emphasizing solving the problem.  You might say something like this as you get the paper towels, "Well, that is a problem. However, it can be solved.  Let us see. I think I will need the paper towels.  Alternatively, I could use the kitchen towel.  I will first stop the milk from running over the table onto the floor.  Then, let's get the puddle itself." 

Once the mess is handled, move into the analysis of the cause of the problem.  What does Johnny think contributed to the milk being spilled?  Was he moving too fast?  Was the glass too close to his elbow?  How might he avoid this same mistake in the future? 

Do you see the value of this same method applied to Johnny's math mistakes?  Or while exploring nature with underlying science?

It is not always easy to model and ceate such an environment but the problems are a part of life and easily solved when we think them through.