What strategy can be employed to teach problem-solving skills to children?

Encouraging open-ended questions during activities is an effective strategy for teaching problem-solving skills to children. This approach stimulates critical thinking and allows children to explore various possibilities and solutions rather than being confined to a single correct answer. Open-ended questions prompt children to think creatively and engage in discussions that require them to analyze situations, consider different perspectives, and articulate their thought processes.

For example, instead of asking a question with a definitive answer, a teacher might ask, "What are some ways we can build a bridge with these materials?" This kind of questioning encourages children to brainstorm, collaborate, and evaluate different ideas, fostering skills that are crucial for problem-solving.

In contrast, providing simple yes/no questions or restricting questions to right or wrong answers can limit children's cognitive development. These methods do not promote exploration or critical engagement with the material, which are essential components of learning how to solve problems effectively. Similarly, using worksheets with multiple-choice answers can reduce opportunities for children to think deeply and creatively about a problem, as they often lead them to choose from predetermined options rather than generating their own solutions.