Primary School Problem Solving Skills
Problem solving skills are important in primary schools because they help children think step by step, try different ways, and find good solutions. For a primary school teacher, these skills are practical because they support learning, build confidence, and help students handle challenges in class and everyday life.
Problem Solving Skills
Classroom Inspiration & Learning
Developing 21st-Century Problem-Solving Skills in the Primary Grades
Problem-solving is more than a math strategy; it is a vital 21st-century skill. By embedding these challenges across core subjects and primary grades, students don't just learn academic content; they cultivate critical thinking, adaptability, and stronger social relationships. Discover our curated, engaging resources and cross-curricular themes designed to boost your elementary students’ real-world problem-solving abilities today. You can also find materials that adapt seamlessly to your favorite learning approaches, like collaborative learning, active learning, or play-based learning.
Forms of Learning
Subjects
💡 Helping Students with Critical Thinking and Research Skills
Why do so many primary students struggle with independent problem-solving skills? Writer, editor, and veteran educator Ilana notices a massive shift: in a world of instant Google answers, the raw effort and spirit of digging into information is getting lost.
Check out this quick, mini-bite article to uncover why young learners fall into the "one-click answer" trap, and discover practical, teacher-friendly ways to instill deep critical thinking and research skills in your primary classroom today.
Guiding Students Beyond the "One-Click Answer"
Fostering genuine problem-solving skills is a rewarding shift that lets you step back from the "instant-answer" culture and instead teach young learners how to navigate complex challenges. Through actionable strategies, you’ll learn how to guide independent inquiry and structured teamwork in any subject. These curated professional development is built to help you create an active, high-energy environment where kids are hooked on digging deeper, all while keeping your own prep time manageable.
Professional Development
Our most loved Problem Solving Skills providers
Scientific Articles
Research and scientific publications on the topic.
Podcasts
Audio content and podcast episodes related to the topic.
57. Teaching Problem-Solving Skills with Young Students
Zeba McGibbon, Kindergarten Cafe Podcast
Episode 64: Top Ten Ways to Get Students Problem Solving With Dr. Nicki Newton and Ann Elise Record
Melissa Milner, Dr. Nicki Newton, Ann Elise Record
Promoting Reasoning and Problem Solving With Tasks
Joanie Funderburk, Curtis Brown, Room to Grow Math
Books
A carefully curated collection of books on the topic.
A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
Rick Billstein, Barbara Boschmans, Shlomo Libeskind, Johnny Lott, Brian Beaudrie
Using Children's Literature to Teach Problem Solving in Math
Jeanne White
Math Problem Solving Through Small Group Instruction
Dani Fry Jackson
Teaching Powerful Problem-Solving in Math
Catherine C. Lewis, Akihiko Takahashi, Shelley Friedkin, Nora Houseman, Sara Liebert
Problem Solving in Mathematics, Grades 3–6
Alfred S. Posamentier, Stephen Krulik
Useful links
Useful tools and resources related to the topic.
Frequently asked questions
Practical resources and inspiration to prepare children for the future.
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