A Guide to Cultivating Problem-Solving Skills Through Play
Solving Skills Through Play
Early Childhood Education Articles 
PART 1 – INTRODUCTION
The concept of “play” is often misunderstood as something without academic value, a form of entertainment or a way for children to pass the time. In reality, play holds immense potential for developmental benefits, particularly when it is structured appropriately. Structured play involves planning and organisation, incorporating activities that align with specific learning objectives. This form of play serves as a powerful tool for children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
Research indicates that play significantly helps children adjust to their school setting. It enhances their readiness for learning, learning behaviours, and problem-solving skills. Contrary to the misconception that play is just about having fun, it can foster a dynamic and engaging educational experience when properly guided.
Let us explore how structured play can cultivate problem-solving skills and promote a well-rounded educational foundation for children.
PART 2 – PROBLEM-SOLVING THROUGH PLAY
2.1. An Overview: Problem-Solving Skills
Children encounter a spectrum of challenges in their daily lives, ranging from academic hurdles to interpersonal issues. Cultivating effective problem-solving skills in children empowers them to navigate life’s complexities. This is particularly crucial in preschool education in Singapore, where early development of problem-solving skills contributes to lifelong learning and adaptation.
Encompassing a set of critical abilities that enable individuals to identify, navigate, and generate potential solutions, problem-solving skills can be gained through experience and trial and error. Here’s what they can help children to acquire:
1. Analytical Skills
Encouraging children to break down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts fosters their analytical skills. By dissecting a problem into its fundamental elements, they can focus on one aspect at a time, making it easier to identify the root cause. This enables them to see connections between different parts of a problem and develop effective solutions.
2. Research Skills
Problem-solving often demands gathering information and researching potential solutions. By teaching children how to effectively seek out and evaluate information, they can strengthen their research skills.
3. Communication Skills
Articulating a problem and discussing possible solutions with others enhances children’s communication skills. As part of the process, they must learn to express their ideas clearly and listen to others’ perspectives.
4. Critical Thinking Skills
Critical thinking refers to the ability to interpret, assess, and analyse the available facts and information to justify or decide if something is right or wrong. To obtain these skills, children should be prompted to evaluate different solutions and consider their consequences. The key is to guide them in making informed decisions and thinking independently.
5. Teamwork Skills
Teamwork skills are vital in navigating challenges that require collaborative efforts. In preschool centres, these skills are often nurtured by engaging children in problem-solving tasks, which encourage sharing responsibilities and appreciating diverse viewpoints. Thanks to these experiences, children can work effectively in teams and foster a sense of empathy towards others — a core aspect of their growth journey in preschool settings and beyond.
2.2 Why Should Children Hone Their Problem-Solving Skills
After grasping the fundamentals of problem-solving skills, let us examine how they pave the way for children’s success in various aspects of life. These skills are not merely academic tools; they are essential in helping children navigate day-to-day challenges.
1. Composure Development
Honing problem-solving skills helps children learn to maintain composure in challenging situations. This ability to stay calm under pressure contributes to rational decision-making and builds resilience, enabling children to face difficulties with confidence and poise.
Some kindergartens in Singapore emphasise this through structured activities and guided play where children are taught to approach problems methodically and calmly. For instance, children may work in groups to build the tallest tower during a “Block Tower Challenge”. When one group’s tower keeps collapsing, the teacher guides them to stay calm, analyse the problem, and rebuild a stronger base together.
Learn more: How preschool teachers positively impact your children
2. Effective Decision-Making
With problem-solving skills, children are empowered to make informed and effective decisions independently. This capability elevates their confidence and critical thinking abilities, allowing them to evaluate situations carefully and choose the best course of action.
3. Creative Thinking
Encouraging children to think outside the box is a key takeaway in cultivating problem-solving skills. Thinking creatively enlightens them to look beyond the obvious and consider alternative possibilities. This not only helps them to generate new ideas but also exposes them to different perspectives. As such, they become more adaptable and open-minded in a constantly changing world.
4. Teamwork and Leadership
Problem-solving activities empower children to collaborate with their peers to achieve common goals. Through this process, they learn to listen to each other’s ideas, share responsibilities, and provide support, embodying the principles of effective teamwork. Additionally, these activities offer children opportunities to assume leadership roles, such as guiding the group toward a solution, delegating tasks, or motivating their peers.
5. Communication Skills Enhancement
While children may already have opportunities to communicate with their peers in their daily interactions, effective problem-solving activities take these abilities one step further. Playgroups in Singapore often provide a structured environment where children can articulate their ideas, listen actively, and give constructive input. This enhances their communication abilities by allowing them to express themselves more clearly and show greater empathy to people around them. Such integration prepares children for future interactions, both in and out of the classroom.
PART 3 – DEFINING “PLAY” IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
3.1. The Concept of Play
As a cornerstone in the growth journey of young children, play motivates, stimulates, and supports the acquisition of various skills and concepts, including communication and critical thinking. During the “play” process, children do not consciously think, “I am about to learn something.” However, their play naturally unfolds into learning opportunities that span multiple developmental aspects.
The Importance of Play in Preschool Programmes
Effective preschool programmes or preschool enrichment classes prioritise play opportunities and establish environments for hands-on learning. In these settings, teachers play a pivotal role in leveraging children’s curiosity to enrich their learning experiences. As a result, they can expand children’s critical thinking capabilities and strengthen their overall development.
Learn more: 4 advantages of preschool enrichment classes
Fundamental Characteristics of Playful Experiences
While researchers and theorists may have differing perspectives on play, there is consensus on its fundamental characteristics:
1. Play is Meaningful
Children find meaning in play by connecting it to something they already know. With this linkage, they gain new concepts and integrate them into their existing knowledge base.
2. Play is Joyful
The overall feeling of play is one of enjoyment, motivation, thrill, and pleasure. Joyful play encourages children to be part of the process, leading to a more rewarding learning experience.
3. Play is Actively Engaging
When playing, children become deeply involved, experiencing physical, mental, and verbal engagement. Physically, they nurture fine and gross motor skills through movement and manipulation of objects. Mentally, they practise problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making that foster cognitive development. Verbally, they brush up on their language, communication, and social skills when expressing ideas, negotiating roles, and cooperating with peers. This holistic approach to play helps children build a diverse set of skills simultaneously, contributing to their overall growth and development.
Learn more: Building Strong Bonds: Positive Parenting Strategies for Connection
4. Play is Iterative
Children play to practice skills, unravel possibilities, and refine their abilities. This iterative process exposes them to trial and error, leading to the development of resilience and problem-solving skills.
5. Play is Socially Interactive
When children play, they communicate ideas and initiate social interactions with each other. This prompts them to collaborate and understand different perspectives.
3.2 The Role of Play in Child Development
Play is an integral part of childhood, forming the foundation for a child’s development in numerous ways. Through play, children are able to explore the world around them and benefit in the following aspects:
1. Promoting Early Brain Development
Child play is crucial for brain development, helping children understand the world and setting the groundwork for later cognitive growth. Infants are born with an abundance of synapses, or brain cell connections, which allow them to absorb information during their early years, establishing a strong developmental base.
An environment enriched with play, sensory activities, and toys provides notable life experiences that support brain growth. Without these, the neuron connections related to play can diminish. Neuroscientific research has shown that engaging with toys, games, and playful activities can change brain chemistry and impact a child’s development. On top of that, the cerebral cortex, responsible for higher cognitive processing, particularly benefits from environmental enrichment and children’s play.
2. Improving Intellectual Development
Play significantly enhances children’s intellectual development by helping them refine critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity, all of which are vital for academic learning and cognitive growth. When children engage in play, they encounter various scenarios that require them to think critically and make decisions.
In Singapore, local childcare centres have made play a central component of their curriculum. A wide array of play-based activities are integrated into the daily routine to foster intellectual growth and curiosity, supporting children’s discovery and learning while building essential cognitive skills. For example, at The Schoolhouse, our Imagineers programme takes children on a journey of scientific and artistic exploration through hands-on experiments and project creation. This approach helps children better analyse situations, make predictions, and understand the consequences of their actions.
3. Enhancing Emotion Regulation
Self-regulation is the ability to manage one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to achieve goals and adapt to different situations effectively. It involves controlling impulses, managing emotions, and exerting self-control in various contexts. Such emotion regulation is not only important for academic success but also for the psychosocial aspects of child development, serving as a strong predictor of a child’s social success.
In a classroom setting, children who exhibit better emotional control have a higher tendency to pay attention, stay focused on tasks, and persist through challenges. In addition, they are more likeable and socially competent.
The role of play in facilitating emotion regulation is highlighted in a study, where psychologists found that children who engaged in more pretend play with their caregivers showed greater resilience in handling negative events, enabling them to continue playing effectively.
4. Developing Social Skills
Through play, children practise social skills by interacting with others, sharing, taking turns, and resolving conflicts. These interactions expose children to social norms and foster empathy. Group play activities, such as team games and building projects, bring children together and help them understand different perspectives. These experiences lay strong social foundations that continue to benefit children throughout their lives.
5. Honing Problem-Solving Skills
Cognitive play and imaginative play each come with distinct roles in boosting cognitive abilities, specifically in enhancing problem-solving skills. Let us delve into their unique contributions to nurturing these capabilities in children.
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Defining Characteristics
Cognitive play involves activities that focus on developing specific cognitive skills such as problem-solving, memory, and logical thinking. On the other hand, imaginative play prompts children to act out scenarios based on their imagination.
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Thinking Approaches
The key aspect of cognitive play lies in structured and analytical thinking. Children are encouraged to learn through hands-on exploration and manipulation by taking part in activities that promote systematic problem-solving. These may include puzzles, memory games, sorting activities, and constructive play.
Imaginative play provides children with a safe and playful environment to discover various roles, experiences, and emotions. Activities such as role-playing, pretending to be different characters, and engaging in make-believe situations are common in this type of play, boosting creativity, social skills, and emotional development in children.
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Nature of Engagement
Cognitive Play introduces challenges through games and structured activities that include specific problem-solving tasks, while imaginative play involves mimicking behaviours and acting out experiences, allowing children to experiment with diverse roles and scenarios.
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Integration with Reading
In cognitive play, children participate in specific activities related to reading, such as memory games that require recalling details from stories or constructive play with scene creation from books. Meanwhile, imaginative play promotes reading through leading questions and prompts that enhance analytical engagement with storylines and characters for better comprehension.
3.3 The Schoolhouse’s Difference
Having explored the role of play in child development, let us now turn to the distinctive features of The Schoolhouse’s (TSH) curriculum. Here’s how we prepare children to excel in the near future:
TSH’s Curriculum (For Early Years and Preschool)
1. Changemakers
The Changemakers programme at TSH aims to instil a sense of exploration and curiosity in children from an early age.
2. Real World
The Real World programme connects classroom learning with practical, real-world applications, ensuring children understand the relevance of their education.
3. Imagineers
The Imagineers programme nurtures creativity and innovation through artistic and scientific exploration.
4. Urban Wellness
The Urban Wellness programme prioritises holistic health and well-being to help children develop physically, emotionally, and socially.
TSH’S Core Values: “Everyday Is a Day of Discovery”
At TSH, our core values are embodied in the philosophy that “Everyday Is a Day of Discovery.” These principles underpin our curriculum and daily interactions, establishing a stimulating environment that equips children with the essential skills to navigate life’s complexities.
- Curiosity
- Respect
- Family
- Integrity
- Celebrate
- Confidence
- Creativity
TSH’s Problem-solving Through Play
This new learning approach moves beyond traditional classroom settings by engaging children’s ‘full senses’ through real-world explorations, deepening their understanding and intensifying connection with the world around them. By immersing children in diverse environments and scenarios, this method fosters a deeper comprehension of various subjects and enhances their cognitive, emotional, and social development.
3.4 Questions You May Have
1. What is the main purpose of preschool?
Preschool provides children with a safe space to learn valuable life skills. At The Schoolhouse, we focus on preparing children for their future world.
2. How should I prepare my child for preschool?
After confirming preschool registration, spend extra time with your child prior to their new school year and involve them in planning their new routines. Keep them curious about preschool in a positive and exciting manner.
3. What can I do to play well with my child?
Using your environment to your advantage, allow your child to be an active participant in exploring their space. At The Schoolhouse, we encourage uninterrupted playtime with minimal adult intervention. This gives children the opportunity to gain confidence in trying new things.
4. How does The Schoolhouse prepare children for the future world?
As one of the best preschools in Singapore, our teaching approach integrates fun activities that equip children with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate and thrive in the complexities of the future.
5. Can you provide examples of activities that promote problem-solving through play?
Activities at The Schoolhouse are designed to be both educational and enjoyable. For example, children might engage in building structures with blocks to enhance spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills. They might also participate in dramatic play scenarios that reflect empathy and demonstrate social problem-solving.
6. How does The Schoolhouse support children’s development in different age groups?
We tailor our approach to accommodate the unique needs and developmental stages of each child. Whether they are in preschool or infant care, children receive age-appropriate activities and guidance to foster their growth and learning effectively.
CONCLUSION
Problem-solving through play is a highly effective method that supports children’s learning. Throughout the process, teachers play a part in creating environments that offer diverse and enriching play experiences. Moreover, they incorporate elements intrinsic to a child’s experiences to boost instructional strategies and promote effective learning outcomes.
In essence, instilling problem-solving abilities in children goes beyond addressing immediate concerns; it equips them with indispensable tools for lifelong success. Parents, as guiding figures, can support their children’s growth by building these skills early on, ensuring they are well-prepared for future challenges.
With over 35 years of experience nurturing young minds and laying strong foundations for countless children, The Schoolhouse by Busy Bees operates 17 preschools and 5 infant care centres in Singapore.
Explore how we can prepare your little ones for future success through our programmes and approaches that complement parenting strategies.
