Common wisdom suggests that in order to create great change, we need to focus on all that’s broken and fix it. But we are seeing that it’s actually changing these days. Research in fields of positive psychology and neuroscience are providing us with a compelling case of solution centric approach for kids that shows us that there is a more productive path and it’s two fold – 

(a) Highlighting the current progress 

(b) Solutions that we can take in response to problems

Basically, getting the brain to focus on successes and solutions instead of failures and problems. And that is a solution centric approach.

Why is it so important?
When we present someone with problems that they can solve and solutions that they can actually take on themselves right now, their creative problem solving abilities on unrelated subsequent tasks increases by on average as much as 20%. So what that shows us is that we remind the brain that in one domain there is a path forward that you can import this mindset to another domain. Research also shows people feel better on a daily basis (19% less agitated and 23% less uptight).

Why is it crucial for children?
The more that we can reorient our brain towards the fueling parts of our reality by what we talk about, by the way we communicate with others, that fuels performance. Because it puts the brain in a positive state and that in turn is connected to many performance measures. 

In adults the process requires reorientation but in children it’s the inculcation of this habit at a very early age. Therefore, the process is much more seamlessly integrated into their life. So in the midst of problems, children are not spending time complaining but are focusing on what they can do about it.

How can we make this happen?

1. Morning Huddle – First thing in the morning, spend 10-15 minutes talking to children about even the tiniest of triumphs and ask them about things that they learnt and their progress the previous day. Make sure to offer support in areas that the child lacks.

2. The Google way – Tech giant Google gives their employees 20% time to work any creative solution to a problem. Similarly, set aside a time on the kid’s daily schedule where they can work on whatever they want.

3. Hand-on Learning Experience – Instead of telling children the ‘why’, show them the ‘why’ and the ‘why-not’. This helps them understand better in their unique way. Visual aids are a bonus.

4. Online Courses – There are various online courses by FSM Buddy like Life’s Little Tricks (Teens) and Learning How to Solve Rubik's Cube that focus exclusively on inculcating a solution based approach. Take a peep! (FSM Buddy is an online initiative by Furtados School of Music)

Today’s job landscape is changing so rapidly that 65% of the jobs in 2030 don’t exist yet and over 30% will be done by artificial intelligence. We need to give kids understanding and not knowledge and this is done by teaching through better problem solving tools, talking about what’s to come and make them figure out what is working. Working towards this mindset at an early age helps a child deal with obstacles in an effective and systematic fashion.