Which method encourages children to find their own solutions?

• A. Redirections
• B. Time away
• C. Empathetic statements
• D. Open questions

Answer: (D)

The method that encourages children to find their own solutions is open questions. Open questions are designed to prompt reflection, critical thinking, and problem-solving. By asking open-ended questions, children are encouraged to explore their feelings, thoughts, and potential solutions to the challenge they are facing. This approach fosters independence and empowers children to articulate their ideas and feelings, helping them to develop decision-making skills.

Using open questions rather than closed questions—which typically elicit short, specific answers—creates a dialogue that allows children to express themselves more deeply. For example, instead of asking, "Are you upset?" which can be answered with a simple yes or no, an open question such as "What are you feeling right now?" invites them to elaborate. This not only helps their cognitive and emotional development but also builds their confidence in addressing their own issues.

Other methods such as redirections, time away, and empathetic statements have their roles in managing behavior and providing support, but they do not primarily focus on helping children discover their own solutions in the same way that open questions do. Redirections can guide a child’s focus, time away can provide a break from a challenging situation, and empathetic statements can help validate a child’s feelings, but they do not inherently