Solving Problems Progression

A problem is something you do not immediately know how to solve. There is a gap between reading through a problem and being able to get started on a path to finding a solution. This means that children require thinking and playing-with-the-problem time. They need to test out ideas, to make predictions, learn from mistakes and failed attempts to solve the problem, adjusting their thinking in the light of what they learn from this, discuss ideas (reasoning) with others and be comfortable to take risks. When children are confident to behave in these ways they are then able to step into problems independently rather than immediately turning to teachers to ask what to do. This is our ultimate aim of problem solving through our school from Early Years to Key Stage One.