'When your child comes to you for help it may be a good time to teach them how to help themselves'

WHEN your child comes to you for help it may be a good time to teach them how to help themselves, you can do this by using this problem-solving routine, writes CHRIS GARNER.
Being able to navigate your way around a problem is all part of growing up and becoming independent as well as an essential life skill. 
This technique is ideal for junior school children through to teenagers.  
When your child is struggling with a problem or they have to find some information for a school project or trip out there are five steps you can encourage them to take: 
* Goal: help your child to establish what they would like to achieve and what the end goal will be. 
* Options: What are the different options in order to reach the end goal; help your children to make a list of each of the options possible and discuss the best one to choose. 
* Consequences: Before deciding which option to take explore what the consequences may be for each, there could be an undesirable consequence to certain options. 
* Trial: When you have decided on the best option to take if it’s possible arrange a trial in order to give the option the best chance of success. 
* Review: Whether the option chosen succeeds or fails it is always good practice to have a review.  
* Chat about what worked and what needs a little more work on.  
* Praise your child for the hard work and time they have put into trying to solve this problem. 
Patience with this process will help your child succeed!