The Proven 5-Step Problem Solving Method Every Parent Should Teach Their Child

Singapore Math Experts Reveal: The Proven 5-Step Problem Solving Method Every Parent Should Teach Their Child

When children struggle with problem sums, many parents think the solution is more practice. But practice alone isn’t enough if kids do not know how to approach the problem in the first place.

Many children hit roadblocks because they:

• • Try to solve sums in their head without breaking them down

• • Misread or misunderstand the question

• • Guess instead of using a logical approach

• • Memorise steps instead of truly understanding the problem

• • Solve too quickly and make errors

As parents, we want to help, but how do we guide our children without simply giving them the answer? The key lies in teaching them a step-by-step approach to think through problems independently.

Singapore Math experts at Oodles Learning share a proven 5-step method that helps children tackle problem sums with ease and confidence.

At Oodles Learning, problem-solving is at the core of mastering mathematics. As Singapore’s leading math enrichment provider, they have helped over 100,000 students build confidence and proficiency through structured, research-backed strategies.

If your child struggles with math word problems, this systematic approach can help them to master problem solving.

Step 1: Understand the Problem

Before rushing into calculations, students must fully understand the problem. Many errors occur because children misinterpret key information or fail to grasp the problem’s requirements.

Why it’s important: A clear understanding of the problem prevents careless mistakes and ensures that the correct approach is applied.

Pro Tip for Parents: Encourage your child to underline keywords, highlight important numbers, and rewrite the problem in their own words to improve comprehension.

Step 2: Identify and Apply Heuristics

Singapore Math is renowned for its emphasis on heuristics—problem-solving strategies that help students tackle complex questions systematically. These include model drawing, making assumptions, using logical reasoning, and looking for patterns.

Why it’s important: Heuristics empower students to break down complex problems into manageable steps, reducing frustration and boosting confidence.

Pro Tip for Parents: Familiarise yourself with the bar model, comparison model, guess-and-check, and work through example problems together. Encourage your child to explain their reasoning aloud to reinforce their understanding.

Step 3: Develop a Step-by-Step Solution Plan

Rather than solving a problem within an ambitious step, students should plan their approach by identifying smaller sub-steps. This structured method prevents haphazard problem-solving and improves accuracy.

Why it’s important: A step-by-step approach enhances logical thinking and minimises confusion, especially in multi-step problems.

Pro Tip for Parents: Have your child verbalise their thought process while solving problems. Ask guiding questions like, “What should you do first?” and “Why do you think this method works?”

Step 4: Execute with Care and Check Work

Many students lose marks due to careless mistakes in arithmetic or misapplied formulas. Checking work is an essential habit that ensures accuracy.

Why it’s important: Careful execution prevents unnecessary errors and reinforces learning through self-correction.

Pro Tip for Parents: Teach your child the habit of rechecking their answers by using inverse operations (e.g., addition to check subtraction) or estimating if their answer is reasonable.

Step 5: Reflect and Learn from Mistakes

Every mistake is a learning opportunity! Reviewing errors helps students understand where they went wrong and how to avoid similar pitfalls next time.

Why it’s important: Reflection strengthens problem-solving skills and fosters resilience by teaching children that mistakes are part of the learning journey.

Pro Tip for Parents: Instead of correcting your child’s mistakes for them, encourage them to identify their errors. Discuss different approaches to solving the same problem and encourage them to keep a “challenging questions journal” for revision.

Final Thoughts

Math isn’t just about getting the right answer—it’s about developing a structured approach that fosters confidence, accuracy, and critical thinking. With the right approach, problem-solving becomes a skill that can be strengthened over time.  

Oodles Learning equip students with the tools they need to master Singapore Math problem-solving strategies effectively. By following these five steps, building them into their routine and incorporating the pro tips, your child can become an independent and capable problem-solver.

Need more support? Find an Oodles Learning centre near you and let their expert coaches guide your child to math success!