Montessori Coordinator’s Corner: Problem Solving
Ingrid Weland, Ed.D.
As we continue to foster your child’s continued success, I hope you recognize the importance of our partnership – it takes all of us working together to best meet the needs of your child.
One key component to a Montessori experience is empowering children. Empowerment takes many forms for young children. In our classroom environment empowerment includes self regulation (how do I control my emotions and body in regards to how I feel and what is going on around me) as well as social interactions. At the toddler level, we encourage children to use their words when they have a disagreement or problem to solve. As this skill is refined, the child is then encouraged to solve their own problems so they are empowered to work through any problem that might arise. Problem solving is a skill we actively teach, starting in our infant classrooms. Role modeling is one way – as a child watches others solve problems, they learn. When your child has a problem that needs to be solved, instead of telling them how to solve it, wait and see if they can figure out how to solve the problem. If they are stuck, suggest two different ways they could solve the problem. If one is tried, but unsuccessful, acknowledge that they tried, it didn’t work, and that they can try something else. Just like learning to walk, success isn’t going to happen on the first attempt.
Hopefully, we’ve provided some ways to help your child solve any problem your child encounters.
