Five ways to raise a problem solver, and how sponsorship can help

1) Expand perspectives

Effective problem-solvers can see and weigh up different perspectives to arrive at creative solutions. Sponsoring a child provides a window into the life of a child in a different country, culture and circumstance. Diving into your sponsored child’s world together through the stories, letters and updates you receive can give your child a wider perspective of the world and how people live, and help foster empathy for others. 

2) Encourage action 

Tackling difficult issues can be daunting – it’s not just kids who sometimes avoid hard things or wait for someone else to intervene! Having a practical way to respond to the challenges we see in the world around us gives children the chance to move from overwhelm to action. Sponsoring a child shows your child it’s possible to take action – and you can track the real difference you’re making in the letters and updates you receive. 

3) Spark curiosity 

Problem-solvers are curious. Research shows that prioritising creativity over finding the “right” answer can help problem-solving. Foster creative thinking by encouraging your child to explore what the world is currently doing to solve the problems they care about – and then asking ‘how?’ and ‘what if…?’ Your sponsor updates and the resources in the My World Vision app are a great place to start to discover solutions in action right now to tackle problems from dirty water to deforestation. 

4) Embrace failure

The ability to persist in the face of challenges is a critical skill in our rapidly changing world. Adversity builds problem-solving skills, and it’s important for children to experience setbacks, face obstacles and fail – so they can learn to get up and try again. As you follow your sponsor child’s journey, you’ll see how they are building resilience and success as they overcome hardship and setbacks.

5) Prioritise caring

Children learn by watching the actions of people they respect. To solve problems, we first need to care about them, and to develop empathy, children need to see caring and kindness in action. Make kindness common and model how to care for our world, and the people in it. By sponsoring a child, you are already leading by example. Good work!