Assignment 2: Problem Solving

Name: Robert Woodyard

Professor: Dr. Erin DiCesare

University: Strayer University

Date: December 4, 2016

Assignment 2:  Problem Solving 2

Assignment 2: Problem Solving

For this assignment, I chose Scenario 2:

"Your child comes home from school with an assignment sheet for a school

project. He/she is very excited about the project and begins work immediately, doing

research on the Internet and gathering materials. You read over the assignment sheet

and notice that your child does not include all of the required items in the project, and

you have some ideas for how to improve the quality of the presentation. You recently

read an article in a parenting magazine about the importance of a child developing

responsibility for his/ her learning. You recall the many ways in which your parents

took over your school projects. You, on the other hand, want to encourage your child's

confidence in his / her ability to complete a project independently. The next day, you are

at the grocery store when you see a parent of a student in your child's class. That the

parent has spent over $30 in supplies for the science project and is taking a day off of

work to put the pieces of the project together."

I chose this scenario because I am a parent and my wife and I have faced this problem

before. There are many ways to view this issue and how to handle it. I will be using the six-

step problem-solving process outlined in the web text to solve this problem.

Step One: Define the problem and Step Two: Problem Analysis:

One of the predicaments in the situation is the parent wanting to let the child's

creativity take over to finish the project with little to no interference. After noticing that your

child is missing steps in the instructions, you feel that your he/she could use some guidance

in setting up and making sure everything on the list is there and can be utilized. Or should

the parent step back and give the child a chance to discover and fix their error or step in and
Assignment 2:  Problem Solving 3

be their safety net? Another problem could be the competitive nature of the parent. Seeing

their child and their complacency for the project and seeing the other parent in the store

getting everything available to do the project for their child may ignite something within the

parent to desire their child to overcome and surpass the other child’s project. The significant

problem here I think is that the mom/dad is trying to figure out how to get involved, and how

much to let them go on their own.

Step Three: Generate options and Step Four: Evaluate options:

There are many possibilities that the parent could take in this circumstance.

 Have the child read over the inventory of supplies and check off what he or

she has.

 Suggest to shop for the items required together and treated it like a group

project.

 Offer your help to the child, if they get stumped otherwise try and let them

handle it on their own.

 You could not help at all on the project and let the child get whatever grade

they earn either good or bad.

 You don't help at all in doing the project but be there to help make corrections

when the child has completed the project.

If looked over thoroughly, one could still find positives and negatives with

each one. An instance of this is the first option, and the child is on their own with

reviewing the supplies, so there is still a possibility for them to overlook some of the

missing items on the list. The parents can be there for direction and ask their child

about the inventory to keep them on the course. This option will make the child

discover out by themselves that something is missing and that they need to make
Assignment 2:  Problem Solving 4

changes. The downside to this is there is also a possibility that the child is aware of

the missing pieces but disregards them because they just want to get it over with and

completed.

The second option gives some of the accountability to the parent which could

be negative or positive. negative because the child could look at the mother or father

as a safety net that that will always be there to fix their issues. Positive because you

are setting up a trustful environment for yourself and your child and a child should

trust their parents.

The third one is balanced for both of child and parent. The child still has to

solve and finish the project, but the parent is there for support if needed. This practice

could also benefit both because the child is getting help from the mom or dad, but the

mother or father will have to be careful not to try and take over the project.

The fourth one is entirely on the child with not providing any advice or

direction. This option is letting them do their project their way and find out how they

earn whatever grade they get either good or bad. This option will teach them

responsibility and that they need to be accountable for their actions. The negative for

this option may also cause the child not to depend on you for anything in the future

because he/she will think they can't rely on you.

The fifth option could be damaging too because the child would not learn to

look over their work or find out how to find errors because they know you will be

there when it is finished to make sure everything is

perfect.
Assignment 2:  Problem Solving 5

Step Five: Make your decision and Step Six: Implement and reflect:

After looking again and analyzing the options, I feel the best choice for my child

would be the fourth option. Being a parent implies you are responsible for your child. This

constitutes their education up to a given moment. This option lets them experience having an

authority and letting them be imaginative. It also lets the child know that the parent is there to

help if advice is needed.

This option could still be a problem because the child is feeling they have full control

may still miss something. As the parent, you can help by asking the question frequently "if

everything is going as planned." This practice helps the child realize they can trust you to be

there when needed which will help establish trust in the future. This option will also help you

relax and have peace of mind because you know they have everything they need to do the

best work possible.

With the use of this option, one could help ease into option four. From when your

child asking questions when stumped and you as a parent are giving them the correct answer

they are learning what is right or wrong. This option will help he/she remember this in the

future. In the long run, and they will need you less and less, this will make the child more

independent, and they will learn from their accomplishment and failures.