Problem Solving

Embodied Cognition

Problem Solving, what is it and why is it important?

Problem Solving takes information from what we already know and adds it together to make a sequence of events to solve a specific task.

Problem solving is a skill that must be taught and practiced in order to develop the skills necessary for success throughout grade school and into adulthood. 

We practice problem solving from a very young age. Learning how to problem solve applies to both academics and real-world situations. Students need problem-solving skills to learn to navigate through different situations, which will impact their ability to perform tasks, especially later on in life. 

Problem-solving involves much of the brain to help focus and attend to the information necessary to overcome challenges

The prefrontal cortex controls executive functions like decision-making, problem solving, memory, language, emotions, and attention. The cerebellum initiates putting patterns into a sequence, like letters into words, words into sentences, and numbers into order. Activities that activate the cerebellum while performing challenging cognitive skills strengthen areas in the brain for focus and attention. 

How do I know if a child is lacking problem-solving skills?

A prominent sign that children are struggling with problem-solving skills is their inability to understand a concept such as putting patterns into a sequence, how to handle a difficult situation, or having trouble working with others to solve a problem. If a child can't figure out how to put patterns into a sequence, they might struggle with where to start with steps to a task and how to stay on track with steps. Another situation might be them having trouble with classmates and not knowing how to handle it appropriately. 

We can practice and strengthen problem-solving skills through embodied cognition:

Embodied cognition is using gestures, actions, and emotions to help understand a concept.