What flavor ice cream would you like?

Is there only one “right” answer to this question? Perhaps for some people there is—you chocolate fiends know who you are—but for most of us the choice depends on multiple factors. Many questions in life are like this one. They don’t have only one right answer.

Compulsory education in America trains children to look for one right answer. The approach makes their job easier. It works with their testing systems. It helps them justify their existence. Nonetheless, it doesn’t work for children when they become adults. So what should we do about it?

Like many questions we face as adults, there isn’t only one right answer. Focusing on teaching using the only one solution approach isn’t right. I offer these alternative approaches, one or more of which may be the right answer for you and your children:

• When you teach problem solving, make determining the likelihood of there being only one right answer a step in the process
• Be aware of problems your child encounters that have multiple right answers, point them out, and help them learn ways to choose
• Encourage your child to look for other right answers when it appears there is only one

I’m not suggesting you say, “Yes, that’s right!” to plainly incorrect answers like some people do. I’m recommending you foster the multiple right answer perspective because it increases creativity and open-mindedness. It also informs children that there are at least thirty-one right answers to the question, “What flavor ice cream would you like?”