Which method promotes problem-solving by children rather than dependence on adults?

Active listening is a technique that fosters communication and understanding between an adult and a child. It involves giving full attention to the child's thoughts and feelings, validating their emotions, and encouraging them to express themselves fully. By practicing active listening, adults help children articulate their problems and thoughts more clearly, which in turn promotes independent problem-solving skills.

When children feel heard and valued in their contributions, they are more likely to think critically and creatively about challenges they face, rather than relying solely on an adult for answers. This method empowers children to explore solutions, work through their issues, and ultimately build their confidence in decision-making.

The other methods listed, such as positive reinforcement, substitution, and extinction, may focus more on behavior modification rather than encouraging independent thought and problem resolution. Positive reinforcement often involves rewarding desirable behaviors, which does not necessarily promote independent problem-solving. Substitution involves replacing one behavior with another, and extinction is about ignoring certain behaviors to reduce their occurrence, all of which are more about management of behavior rather than enhancing a child's ability to solve problems themselves.