Problem Solving Skills for Teens

The problem. As discussed in my blog Overcoming Obstacles, many kids today don’t have solid problem solving skills. Faced with a challenge, teens often lack the ability to generate and evaluate options for change. The often wait for adults to point them in the right direction, or worse, to solve problems for them. This does little for their personal growth or maturity. Learning to problem solve, on the other hand, encourages numerous related skills that empower kids and foster independence.

Teaching a “Problem-Solving” model. There are six basic steps to any decision making model, though you can certainly tweak the steps to fit a particular circumstance or population. Some simpler problems may allow you to streamline the process, while more complex issues can benefit from the structure that this model provides.

• Define the problem and set a goal for change. This is the opportunity to verbalize what you would like to see happen. Try to be as clear as possible. The best goals are specific and measurable: For example, “Raise my Math grade to an 80” is much more helpful than “Do better in Math.” Write it down so you have a constant reminder of what you are working towards.
• Brainstorming options. Come up with as many different ideas for attacking the problem as you can. This is the time to think outside the box. Don’t stop to evaluate or criticize suggestions: the purpose of this step is to generate a free flowing exchange of suggestions. Ideas for the above goal might include things like: Get extra help from the teacher. Get a math tutor. Increase studying time. Get a study partner. Ask for study guides. Put all of the choices down on paper.
• Evaluate options. Go back over each suggestion and take a second look. Is this idea feasible? What would I need to do to make this happen? Are their constraints (time, resources, etc.) that limit the possibility of this working? For example: the family budget might not allow for a tutor, but what about a study partner? Are their ways to broaden, tweak, or combine good suggestions to make them better?
• Making a plan of action. Choose the options you think will work best and formulate an action plan. Include the specific steps you will take for each choice. For example, if one piece of the action plan is “Increase studying to one hour a night,” making a targeted plan about when, where, and how you will study might be helpful. Include a timeline with your action plan so you know when its time to evaluate how things are going.
• Evaluation and Modification. Assess how things are going. Is there steady progress towards your goal? Do changes need to be made in the plan? This is the time to revise the plan, if necessary. Cut out things that aren’t helping, and possibly revisit the list made in the brainstorming step to see if you want to add anything new. Continue to evaluate and modify until the goal is reached.