WiseTip: CD-SOL-M0003-G01B

Cognitive Development

Promoting Problem-Solving

Watch, but do not interrupt, when your baby is busy manipulating and exploring toys or other objects.

WHY IT MATTERS

Babies are born with built-in problem-solving tools called reflexes. Within an hour after birth, babies will use their rooting and sucking reflexes to feed. By two months, they become more alert and develop an eagerness to explore the world around them.

Problem-solving promotes the development of new nerve cell connections and neural pathways forming in the brains of young children. As one researcher stresses, "The single best way to grow a better brain is through challenging problem solving".

Jensen, E. (2005). Teaching with the brain in mind (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Providing new things for children to explore keeps their brains alert and ready to learn new knowledge.

Hutt, C. (1967). Effects of stimulus novelty on manipulatory exploration in an infant. Child Psychology & Psychiatry & Allied Disciplines, 8(3-4), 241–247.

Very young children discover opportunities to problem-solve independently. For example, an infant who accidentally creates noise with a rattle may purposefully make the sound again. If adults refrain from rushing in and rescuing young children when they face minor everyday problems, infants and toddlers develop confidence in their thinking and experimenting abilities to find solutions to problems.

3, 4

Leipzig, J. (1996.) Supporting the development of a scientific mind in infants and toddlers. In The wonder of it : Exploring how the world works, ed. B. Neugebauer. Redmond, WA: Child Care Information Exchange
Segatti, L., Brown-DuPaul, J., & Keyes, T.L. (2003). Using Everyday Materials To Promote Problem Solving in Toddlers. YC Young Children, 58(5), 12-18.