Maraaz 
Problem solving skills also need to be developed in accordance with the physical, cognitive, social and behavioral development of the child. Stating that the self-perception of the child who started to solve the problems started to develop, the Clinical Psychologist shared important information about the development of problem-solving skills in children in accordance with the age.
Stating that unwanted or unexpected situations that we encounter during our orientation from an event or situation to another event or situation are defined as problems, the Clinical Psychologist said, “Problems are frequently encountered both in our daily life and in academic life. Mathematics questions waiting to be solved while a problem are also a problem for a child who cannot buy the toy because it is in a place that he cannot reach. Every age, every cognitive level has specific problems. As we overcome the problems, we continue our development and move on to the next step. ”
Problem solving skills of the child should be developed
The Clinical Psychologist stated that problem solving behavior in children starts at a very young age, and that this feature begins with the individualization of the child, that is, when he can act on his own.
Stating that problems arise differently for each period, the Clinical Psychologist said, “The problems faced by the child who begins to explore his environment may be limited to his own life skills. It includes behavioral patterns such as reaching the bottle and drinking water, stepping on and off the sidewalk. Since pre-school children do not have abstract thinking skills yet, they can acquire practical and play-based behaviors and problem-solving skills through concrete concepts. “Problem solving skills should also be developed in accordance with the physical, cognitive, social and behavioral development of the child.”
Self-perception improves with problem solving
Reminding that the self-perception of the child, who started to solve the problems he encountered while playing games in early childhood, began to develop, Clinical Psychologist emphasized that determining the alternatives to solution and developing strategies for the ways to solution will be seen in the future as strong investments in academic success.
Problem solving triggers the creative thinking process
In addition, Clinical Psychologist stated that the child started to get to know himself, his wishes and demands much better within the framework of the problems encountered.
“The child who encounters a problem creates strategies for what he can do to solve the problem and how he/she can solve it, and creative thinking processes begin to be triggered. In addition, the child learns to listen to the other party in the solution of the problem, to compare the requests and demands of others with his own wishes and demands, and to create solution strategies in this way. He/she also learns to look at events or problems from the outside. ”
Problem solving is taught with structured activities
Clinical Psychologist stated that the problem solving skills will start to develop when the child is aware of the problems faced by the specialists for the preschool period, develops solution strategies and starts to apply the best for him, said that primary caregivers should perform structured or semi-structured activities with the child; He emphasized that for adults, it will enable children to recognize the triad of emotions, thoughts and behaviors.
Clinical Psychologist said: “Thus, the bonds of the parents with their children are strengthened. While the child is trying to solve the problem, while the parents are watching him, he will master the cognitive processes of the child and they can accelerate the process or make it more practical. The most important problem solving skills we always emphasize. The point is to reach a solution through constructive ways instead of destructive ones. ”
Very important advice for parents
Clinical Psychologist stated that when preschool children encounter a problem, the family should communicate with the child when the problem is fresh, and listed her recommendations as follows:
-The problem should be discussed by considering how it emerges, how it is defined and perceived and how a solution can be reached. The child’s feelings and thoughts should also be included in this speech, and the child should be given the opportunity to talk about the problem.
-After the family defines the problem for the child, the child should make his own definition. In essence, the family should be a role model for the preschool child. In the future, when the child encounters the problem again, he / she will have experiences that he can think and take as an example.
– If the child goes to a pre-school education institution; It is important that in-class activities can be applied in the external environment. Since problem-solving skill is also a mental activity, it can develop equally with studies that support mental development.
– The basis of the activities to be done in order to improve the problem solving behavior in children should be developed in accordance with daily life skills. Contents must be game-based and structured in a way to reinforce creative thinking. Activities should be balanced and go from simple to complex.
