Problem Solving at Home: State, Plan, Try, Check

🧭 What parents can do

When any problem appears (a broken toy, a scheduling puzzle, a stuck question), walk the loop aloud and let your child drive it.

🪜 Step-by-step

1. Restate: say the problem in your own words
2. Plan: pick ONE approach
3. Try: attempt it
4. Check: did it work?
5. If not, loop again with a new plan

🏡 Try this activity

The chore puzzle: "Three rooms to tidy and 20 minutes. What is the smartest order?" Let your child decide.

❓ Questions to ask

• “What is the problem, in one sentence?”
• “What could we try first?”
• “What if that does not work?”
• “How will we know it worked?”

⚠️ Common mistakes

Fixing the problem for them instantly. The loop is the lesson.

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