(And Why It’s the Foundation of STEM Thinking)

Your toddler is already a natural problem-solver. Every time she figures out how to reach a toy on the shelf, stack blocks without them falling, or ask for help when she’s stuck—she’s using STEM skills.

At Surprise Powerz, we believe that girls should be encouraged to solve problems early, in fun, playful ways that build confidence and curiosity. Because when girls learn to think critically and creatively at ages 2 to 8, they begin to see themselves as capable scientists, engineers, and leaders.

Let’s explore how you can help your toddler grow this powerful STEM mindset at home.

Why Problem-Solving Is a STEM Superpower

Problem-solving is at the heart of every STEM discipline:

• Scientists ask questions and test ideas.
  

• Engineers build, fail, and rebuild.
  

• Mathematicians break down puzzles and patterns.
  

• Coders debug their programs when things go wrong.
  

The same thinking applies to toddlers. When your little girl encounters something tricky—like figuring out how to open a lid or build a stronger block tower—she’s doing STEM. She’s experimenting, adapting, and trying again.

5 Ways to Boost Problem-Solving in Toddlers:

1. Let Her Struggle (Just a Little) 

It can be tempting to jump in and fix things for your child, especially when she’s frustrated. But learning happens in the struggle zone.
Instead of solving the problem, say:

• “Hmm, what could you try next?"
  

• “Do you want to try a different way?”
  • Give her time to think and experiment on her own first—it builds persistence and independence.

2. Offer Open-Ended Toys and Tools

Surprise Powerz dolls, blocks, puzzles, and even cardboard boxes give your child the freedom to explore, create, and test ideas.
Dolls like Codie the Coder® say things like “Let’s solve this together!” and “Mistakes help us learn!”—encouraging kids to take healthy risks and try new approaches.

3. Narrate the Process

As she plays, talk about what she’s doing:

• “You’re stacking the blocks higher—what happens if you add one more?”
  

• “You tried that way, and now you’re trying something else. That’s being a problem-solver!”

  • This helps her reflect on her own thinking and recognize her efforts.
    

4. Make It a Game

Turn everyday challenges into playful opportunities to problem-solve:

• “Can you figure out how to fit all your toys in the bin?”
  

• “Let’s design a boat that floats using foil!”
  

• “How could we make this paper airplane fly farther?”

  • When problem-solving feels like play, kids are more likely to stay engaged and try again.
    

5. Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Result

Praise her effort and creativity, not just the outcome.
Try saying:

• “I’m proud of how you didn’t give up.”
  

• “You had a great idea to turn it around and try again.”
  • This builds a growth mindset that fuels STEM success for years to come.

What This Teaches Girls

Problem-solving isn’t just about getting the right answer—it’s about resilience, flexibility, and confidence. By encouraging your toddler to figure things out, you’re helping her:

✅ Take initiative
✅ Think creatively
✅ Feel proud of her effort
✅ Trust herself when things get tough

These are the same traits she’ll use when she’s coding a robot, designing a solution to climate change, or inventing the next medical breakthrough.

🔗 Explore Surprise Powerz STEM Dolls Codie the Coder®, Vera the Vet®, Astro the Astronaut®, and Maria the Mathemagician®, That Encourage Problem-Solving and Resilience

🔗 Download Our Free Early STEM Activity Guide