Parenting Tip of the Week - Helping Children Solve Problems
Source: Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) Weekly eNewsletter
We hear them shouting and we come running. Then, we hear, "He said, he did" or "She said, she did." How can we help them solve their problems and play together? Here are some strategies you might try:
- Stay calm. Get down to the children's level and talk to them calmly.
- Let them know you understand their feelings. Describe what you see that they're feeling. Don't ask questions until children are calmer.
- Find out information. Ask "what" questions to find out what happened to make them upset.
- Repeat what you have found out. Use clear statements to retell what you heard them say.
- Ask for ideas to solve the problem. Have the children offer ideas and solutions to the problem.
- Stay close by for support. After the children agree to the solution, stay close at hand to be sure things stay calm.
- Praise them for playing well together. Make sure they know you're proud of them for solving the problem for themselves.
Related Articles
More Great MilitaryAvenue.com content:
Find Military Discounts in your community
You have Questions? We have MilitaryAvenue Answers!
Our Letters to You, MilitaryAvenue.com's Military Family Blog
Subscribe to MilitaryAvenue Alerts, monthly military-discounts & incentives right to your email box: Manage Subscriptions
The Reading Room, full of relevant news related to the military family
Moving Tools, Our Moving and Relocation Tools for Military Families