7 Ways Problem Solving Prepares Students for Life

Learning how to problem solve prepares students for Life in Seven Critical Ways: 

REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS 

As the world we live in becomes more fast-paced with every passing day, students need to learn how to navigate real-world challenges and problem-solving skills equip students to tackle challenges that don’t have straightforward answers. Children need to be adaptable, approaching new situations with confidence and flexibility, essential in a rapidly changing world. Confidence and creativity are also essential traits to have to tackle these issues.

Whether they are in lower school or middle school, when we allow our students to engage in real-world scenarios, they learn how to adapt and be flexible. Learning to explore different strategies empowers students to take initiative and navigate through obstacles. These skills are not limited to their academic paths, rather they are preparing students to thrive not only in their future careers, but also their communities.

DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING

Analyzing and evaluating different solutions and making decisions will sharpen critical thinking skills. Through problem solving, students learn to apply logic, reason, and connect ideas, which are foundational to learning. This allows students to foster a a deeper understanding of the concepts in which they are learning about. 

For a K-8 student, critical thinking skills become most evident through collaborative work, which is a vital scenario in which to thrive if one wishes to be successful in our interconnected world. Critical thinking fosters effective communication, instilling students with the ability to engage in meaningful conversations and conflict resolution, both of which apply to so much more than academics. 

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT

Problem solving encourages deeper understanding of content as students apply their learning. Engaging students in their learning is interesting and shows them the relevance of their learning. 

As educators, we must be vigilant about identifying lessons that rely primarily on rote memorization, which often leads to a very superficial understanding of the subject matter. When we are able to transform learning into a more meaningful experience, students will inherently become more curious and begin to ask more questions and explore the matter further. Academic performance is truly enhanced when we empower students to make connections in terms of whatever context the lesson or problem is presented. 

RESILIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE

Students who learn to problem solve develop resilience and learn to face and overcome obstacles; they build GRIT and understand that learning includes productive struggle. Problem solving teaches that mistakes are part of learning.

What we are really looking to instill in our students is a programmed reaction to persevere. Failure will no longer be viewed as a negative, but rather an opportunity to grow and learn from mistakes. Once a student begins to embrace failure as part of the learning process, they will no longer fear tackling challenges head on. An attitude shift will almost immediately take place, where the student begins to develop a positive attitude toward learning, if this did not already exist. 

These valuable lessons can be learned as early as kindergarten, which is actually the optimal time to begin encouraging students to establish this mindset. Embracing mistakes and turning them into a positive is something that should be commonplace in lower school classrooms.

COMMUNICATION

Problem solving activities require collaboration, helping students to learn to more effectively work with others and communicate ideas clearly. Through paired and group problem solving, students learn how to address conflicts and build their interpersonal skills. 

It goes without saying that we want our students to have strong speaking skills, but we also need to develop their listening skills. The ability to be open to different viewpoints is essential for learning to take place. It helps students to navigate through disagreements and be proactive about constructively addressing conflict. Empathy is a key byproduct of strong listening skills and it leads to a collective effort in a group setting. 

Cognitive and social skills are equally important not only in school, but outside of the classroom as well. Concentrating on both areas is a must if the goal is to produce a well-rounded student who is capable of thriving in any scenario.

CURIOSITY AND INNOVATION

Problem solving nurtures curiosity as students explore solutions, investigate new ideas, and think. Solving problems is at the heart of innovation, as students utilize processes and solutions to create new ones. 

Innovation is almost entirely dependent on curiosity. When students are engaged and ask questions, they are at the root of critical thinking. More importantly, if they are willing to take risks and do not fear the possibility that they might fail, they have created the conditions for future success. 

Curiosity and risk-taking will cause students to look at problems from a different angle. Hands-on assignments, like project-based learning, are optimal for creating innovative thinkers. 

INDEPENDENCE

When students are more proficient in solving problems, their confidence grows, fostering their independence. Owning their learning through taking initiative and responsibility will help them solve future problems they face. 

For K-8 students, independence is crucial for problem solving as it leads to ownership over the learning process. While the ability to collaborate is extremely important, self-reliance is necessary for a student to gain confidence in their abilities. Trusting one’s own judgment is something we hope students do as early as possible in their academic career, but it must be nurtured, and the way to do that is by encouraging independent thought. 

Those students who think independently are likely to become life-long learners. Some of the byproducts of being an independent learner are strong time management and organazational skills.  

PROBLEM SOLVING AS A LIFE SKILL 

Overall, problem solving is not just a skill for the classroom — it’s a vital life skill that helps students become competent, confident, and capable individuals who thrive in various environments. 

A Daily Math Challenge for the Family

Pardes students use BEAST Academy Classroom from Art of Problem Solving (AoPs). Build problem solving skills through the family daily math challenge. Whether it’s dinner conversation, a before bed activity or even a nightly evening ritual.

All Ten’s premise: use four digits to create expressions for each number from 1 through 10. Add, subtract, multiply, or divide    Start a new math habit today and build problem solving skills.