Skip to main content

Problem Solving Skills for Debugging and Digital Projects

This curriculum already includes debugging — figuring out why something on a computer is not doing what you wanted. The Problem Solving Toolkit makes that a life skill you can use anywhere: define the problem with expected vs. actual, change one thing at a time, observe, and adjust.

This page is the local doorway into the Literacy for Kids Problem Solving Toolkit, connected to the digital skills this curriculum builds.

A few core ideas​

  • Bugs are problems to investigate, not proof you failed. Something not working is information.
  • Expected vs. actual behavior helps define the problem. "I expected ___, but ___ happened."
  • Change one thing at a time. Then you know what each change actually did.
  • Test results are information. A failed test still teaches you something.

When this shows up​

  • When code does not work
  • When a file, device, login, or app behaves unexpectedly
  • When a project feels too big to start
  • When you need to ask for technical help
  • When you tried something and it partly worked

Tools that help​

  • Expected vs. actual — "I expected ___, but ___ happened."
  • One-change test — change a single thing and see what happens.
  • Bug report shape — what you tried, what happened, what you expected.
  • Version 2 thinking — use what you learned to make the next attempt better.
Problem Solving Moment

A good debugging problem statement is: "I expected ___, but ___ happened." Once you know expected vs. actual, you can test one change instead of guessing wildly.

Everyday problems and safe next steps

These are everyday problem-solving tools, not therapy, legal advice, or medical advice. Kids should not be expected to solve unsafe, dangerous, or adult-sized problems alone. If a problem involves danger, serious distress, health concerns, legal trouble, bullying, or anything that feels unsafe, involve a trusted adult right away.

Where to go next​

The full toolkit has short lessons on naming the problem, sorting facts from guesses, breaking problems into parts, brainstorming options, trying one safe step, observing results, and adjusting:

For quick-reference cards, see the hub Printable Problem Solving Cards.