Problem Solving Activities
We may think of
them as mere games, but playing Chess, Checkers, Rummikub, etc.
boosts brain growth. So spend some evenings playing board games
with your children. A lot of learning will be going on that you
can’t see – yet.
Make sure the problem solving activities are interesting,
non-threatening, and appropriately challenging.
Before attempting the activity, do some cross lateral exercises
as explained in the Brain Strategies section of this site. This
will ready your brain for complex problem solving.
Encourage your child to move as he thinks – don’t just sit at a
desk. Pace the floor and talk out loud. Act out the problem. Ask
creativity questions (i.e. Come up with 3 more ways to solve the
problem. What might have caused this to happen? ) Take a walk
outside.
Making a list of pros and cons can be helpful in decision
making.
Having children do “reports” all the time gets boring. Ask your
child to “Interview 3 experts in the area. Summarize their
views. Then ask several adults what they think of the advice.”
“What groups can you make from this list of inventors?
(Revolutionary War battles, books of the New Testament,
personality traits…)
© 2007 Home School Helper