Help Young Children Develop Maths Problem-Solving Skills for Real Life
Maths isn’t just about numbers on a page—it’s a way of thinking that helps children navigate the world. From figuring out how many chairs are needed at the dinner table to sharing snacks equally with friends, problem-solving is a crucial life skill.
The good news? We can nurture our children’s problem-solving mindset from a young age by making Maths a natural and enjoyable part of their daily experiences.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why problem-solving matters and how we can help children develop mathematical thinking in fun and engaging ways.
Why Maths Problem-Solving Matters
Problem-solving is at the heart of learning. When children develop strong problem-solving skills, they become:
✅ Critical thinkers – They learn to break down problems and find solutions.
✅ Confident learners – They build resilience when faced with challenges.
✅ Independent decision-makers – They develop the ability to make choices based on reasoning.
✅ Better communicators – They learn to explain their thinking and explore different solutions.
By integrating problem-solving into everyday moments, we can help children see Maths as a tool for real-life challenges rather than something separate from their world.
How to Cultivate a Problem-Solving Mindset in Young Children
1. Make Maths a Part of Everyday Life
Children are naturally curious about the world. By weaving Maths into their daily experiences, we help them see its relevance.
💡 Try this:
In the kitchen: Ask, “We need two cups of flour. We’ve added one—how many more do we need?”
At the store: Give them a small amount of money and let them choose items without exceeding the budget.
During clean-up: Sort toys by shape, size, or colour, discussing similarities and differences.
These real-world experiences teach children that Maths isn’t just about worksheets—it’s about making sense of the world!
2. Encourage Play-Based Problem-Solving
Play is one of the best ways for children to develop problem-solving skills in a stress-free environment.
💡 Maths-rich play ideas:
✔ Board games – Snakes and Ladders teaches counting and strategic thinking.
✔ Card games – Simple games like Go Fish can be adapted to practise number bonds.
✔ Puzzles & building blocks – Encourage problem-solving through pattern recognition and spatial reasoning.
By engaging in these playful experiences, children learn to think logically, test out ideas, and persevere through challenges.
[Did you know, our Curious Little Critters Maths Adventures Play & Learn Activity Books incorporate many of the ideas above and more? Check them out here.]
3. Pose Open-Ended Questions
Rather than giving children direct answers, ask questions that prompt them to think and explore multiple solutions.
💡 Try asking:
“How many different ways can we make 10 using these blocks?”
“What patterns do you see in the tiles on the floor?”
“We have six plates but eight guests. What should we do?”
Encouraging children to explain their thinking builds confidence and strengthens their reasoning skills.
4. Introduce Maths Through Storytelling
Stories provide an engaging way for children to see Maths in action while improving their comprehension and reasoning.
💡 Ideas for maths-infused storytelling:
✔ Create a bedtime story where a character shares fruit equally among friends.
✔ Read books that involve counting, measuring, or problem-solving (The Doorbell Rang is a great example!).
✔ Pause while reading and ask, “What do you think will happen if…?”
Bringing Maths into storytelling makes learning feel natural and enjoyable.
Ah yes, that’s also why we created our Curious Little Critters Maths Adventures series of storybooks to help children discover the joy and relevance of Maths through fun and relatable scenarios.
5. Foster a Growth Mindset Around Problem-Solving
Children (and adults!) often feel frustrated when they don’t get the “right” answer immediately. Help them see that mistakes are part of learning.
💡 Encourage a growth mindset by:
✔ Praising effort – “I love how you tried different ways to solve that problem!”
✔ Normalising mistakes – “Oops, that didn’t work! What else can we try?”
✔ Modelling perseverance – “This is tricky, but let’s figure it out together.”
By showing children that problem-solving takes patience and practice, we help them build resilience and a love for learning.
6. Solve Real-Life Problems Together
Children love helping out, so turn everyday situations into problem-solving opportunities.
💡 Try this:
✔ Planning an outing: “We need to leave in 10 minutes, and it takes 5 minutes to pack. What should we do first?”
✔ Setting the table: “We have four people and only three spoons. What’s the solution?”
✔ Tidying up: “Let’s figure out the fastest way to put these toys away. Should we sort by size or colour?”
When children apply Maths thinking to real-life situations, they build confidence and independence.
7. Use Everyday Language to Introduce Maths Concepts
The more familiar children are with Maths words, the easier it is for them to apply problem-solving strategies.
💡 Use maths language naturally:
“Let’s compare the height of these towers.”
“Can you find a shorter spoon?”
“We need to share these grapes fairly. What’s the best way?”
By making Maths a part of everyday conversations, children develop the vocabulary they need to describe and solve problems.
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Final Thoughts: Maths as a Way of Thinking
Maths isn’t just about calculations—it’s about making sense of the world, spotting patterns, and finding creative solutions.
By incorporating problem-solving into play, daily routines, and stories, we help children develop the confidence and skills to tackle challenges—not just in Maths, but in life.
Which of these strategies will you try today?
